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https://archive.org/details/genealogyoffitts01fitt 


No.  41 


GENEALOGY 


FITTS  OR  FITZ  FAMILY 

IN  AMERICA 


James  Harris  Fitts 


TUSCALOOSA,  ALA. 


FORT  ORANGE  PRESS 

BRANDOW  PRINTING  COMPANY,  ALBANY,  N.  Y. 


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“  Because  I  feel,  that  in  the  Heavens  above, 
The  angels  whispering  to  one  another, 

Can  find  among  their  burning  terms  of  love, 
None  so  devotional  as  that  of  1  Mother.’” 


*  EXPLANATORY 


avoid  the  use  of  abbreviations  and  to  give  the 
records  of  each  family  in  a  concise  manner,  so 
that  all  the  information  in  regard  to  any  par¬ 
ticular  individual  can  be  readily  found,  a  new 
system  has  been  adopted  which  will  require  very 


little  explanation. 

All  the  records  of  each  family  are  given  together,  in  a  table, 
or  tabulated  form,  commencing  with  Henry  Fitts,  of  North 
Carolina,  as  being  in  the  first  generation,  whom,  it  will  be  seen, 
was,  in  all  probability,  in  the  ninth  generation  from  John  Fitz 
of  Fitzford,  Devon  County,  England.  The  descendants  of  Henry 
Fitts  are  all  numbered,  in  order,  by  the  Arabic  numerals  on  the 
left  margin  of  the  pages,  when  the  name  first  occurs ;  and  each 
individual  is  afterwards  referred  to  by  this  number,  which  is 
here  placed  before  the  name.  This  number  is  placed  in  the 
center  of  the  page,  before  the  name,  over  the  tabular  form,  if  the 
individual  is  subsequently  mentioned  as  the  head  of  a  family. 

The  figures  on  the  right  margin  of  the  tabular  forms  refer 
to  the  pages  on  which  biographical  sketches  may  be  found. 

The  index  has  three  references  in  different  columns.  The 
figures  in  the  first  column  refer  to  the  pages  where  the  birth, 
baptism,  marriage,  death  and  the  present  or  last  residence  of  the 
party  or  of  any  of  the  brothers  and  sisters  may  be  found,  with  the 
names  of  the  parents.  The  figures  in  the  second  column  refer 
to  the  pages  where  the  same  information  in  regard  to  the  children 
of  the  party  is  given.  The  figures  in  the  third  column  refer  to 
the  pages  of  the  biographical  sketch  of  the  party,  if  any  is  given. 
The  different  generations  are  denoted  by  exponent  figures  above 
and  to  the  right  of  the  surname  “  Fitts,”  and  to  the  right  and 
above  the  Christian  name,  when  the  surname  is  other  than 
“  Fitts.” 


2 


&  PREFACE  J- 


HE  main  object  of  this  publication  is  to  preserve  the 
records  and  history  of  the  last  six  generations  of  the 
Fitts  family,  much  of  which  is  now  fast  passing 
beyond  the  memory  of  the  living.  A  desire  to  know 
who  were  my  ancestors  and  something  of  their  history  induced 
me  to  undertake  this  work.  This  same  desire  may  animate  the 
breast  of  some  of  my  posterity,  and  I  feel  it  to  be  a  duty  that  I 
owe  to  them,  to  rescue  from  oblivion  the  information  I  have 
collected. 

The  history  of  the  Fitts  family  in  England,  which  is  herein 
presented,  will  be  interesting  to  many,  and  may  serve  to  assist 
or  stimulate  some  one  to  trace  out  the  connecting  link  between 
the  American  and  English  branches  of  the  family  with  more 
certainty  than  has  yet  been  done. 

Although  the  preparation  of  this  volume  has  been  a  labor 
of  love  and  without  any  prospect  of  pecuniary  profit,  the  collec¬ 
tion  of  the  dates  and  data,  running  through  a  period  of  six 
years,  has  required  much  patient  toil  and  prolonged  research. 
At  no  inconsiderable  cost  the  records  of  the  Government  at 
Washington,  and  those  of  the  States  of  North  and  South  Carolina 
and  Virginia  have  been  searched ;  the  libraries  of  Washington 
City,  New  York  and  Boston  thoroughly  examined;  and  the 
county  records,  parish  registers,  family  Bibles  and  cemeteries 
have  furnished  information.  An  extended  correspondence  with 
numerous  members  of  the  family,  and  other  persons,  was  neces¬ 
sary  in  carrying  on  the  work. 

In  making  acknowledgments  for  assistance  rendered,  I 
must  mention  the  Rev.  James  Hill  Fitts,  a  member  of  the  New 
England  Historic-Genealogical  Society  of  South  Newmarket, 
N.  IJ.,  the  compiler  of  a  genealogy  of  the  “  Fitts  or  Fitz  family,” 
as  the  one  to  whom  I  am  most  indebted  for  undertaking  such  a 
task.  It  was  from  my  correspondence  with  him,  endeavoring  to 
trace  the  connecting  link  between  the  New  England  and  the 
Virginia  branches  of  the  family,  that  he  first  gave  me  valuable 
suggestions  in  arranging  genealogical  data,  and  has  assisted  me 
cheerfully  whenever  requested.  For  the  continuous  and  success¬ 
ful  prosecution  of  the  work,  I  am  most  indebted  to  my  highly 
esteemed  friend,  William  S.  Wyman,  A.M.,  LL.D.,  professor  of 
Latin  in  the  University  of  Alabama.  He  has  been  a  constant 
and  a  willing  assistant,  furnishing  books  and  references  to  books, 
and  suggesting  various  means  for  obtaining  information,  and 


8 


Preface 


personally  directed  my  researches  in  the  Lenox  and  Astor  libra¬ 
ries  of  New  York,  and  in  the  public  library  of  Boston.  To  Mrs. 
Willie  Thrower  Scoggin,  of  Oakville,  N.  C.,  I  am  especially 
indebted  for  much  valuable  information,  given  by  letters,  in  a 
highly  intelligent  manner.  My  grateful  acknowledgment  for 
valuable  assistance  is  hereby  tendered  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Fitts,  of 
Ridgeway,  N.  C.;  to  John  0.  Drake,  Esq.,  of  Warrenton,  N.  C.; 
to  Mr.  Francis  M.  Fitts,  of  Washington  City;  to  Mr.  Charles  E. 
Fitz,  of  New  Orleans,  La.;  to  Capt.  William  A.  Fitts,  of  Orlando, 
Fla.,  and  to  Prof.  Jas.  H.  Fitts,  of  Blacksburg,  Va. 


0 


*  ORIGIN  OF  THE  NAME  * 

E  names  of  some  families  may  have  been  given  from 
the  dise5186  with  which  some  of  its  earliest  members 
were  afflicted,  as  some  writers  contend;  but  few  scholars 
accept  such  a  theory.  One  or  two  authors  have  placed  the  name 
of  Fitz  or  Fitts  as  having  originated  in  this  manner,  which  is 
certainly  an  error.  The  name  Fitz  was  doubtless  derived  from 
the  French  word  “Fils,”  Norman  French  “Fiz.”  signifying  a  son. 
The  use  of  the  word  “Fits”  as  a  prefix  is  of  ancient  date.  The 
Northmen  had  no  family  names,  only  individual  names.  In 
order  to  distinguish  one  man  from  another,  bearing  the  same 
name,  it  was  their  custom  to  add  to  a  man’s  name  the  name  of 
his  father  with  the  word  “  son  ”  suffixed:  thus  John,  the  son  of 
Richard,  and  John,  the  son  of  Robert,  would  be  called  respec¬ 
tively  John  Richardson  and  John  Robertson. 

In  the  10th  century  a  colony  of  these  people  settled  in 
France.  Their  descendants  gave  up  their  own  language  and 
took  that  of  the  French,  but  they  retained  their  manner  of  giving 
names,  with  this  difference,  that  they  placed  the  word  “Fitz,” 
the  French  equivalent  of  “  son,”  before,  instead  of  after,  the 
father’s  name,  thus  came  Fitz-Osborn,  Fitz-IIugh. 

Three  generations  after  the  conquest,  the  Normans  in 
England  and  Ireland  began  to  have  family  names.  For  this 
purpose  various  devices  were  employed:  names  of  cities  and  vil¬ 
lages,  official  titles,  patronymics  with  the  prefix  “Fitz,”  thus 
came  the  Fitz-Adams,  the  Fitz-Hurberts,  etc.,  in  England,  and 
the  Fitz-Geralds  and  Fitz-Maurice,  in  Ireland. 

The  origin  of  the  prefix  Fitz  is  given  by  Isaac  Taylor  in 
“Notes  &  Queries”  No.  154,  Eight  Series,  December,  1894,  page 
443.  “  A  question  which  might  advantageously  be  discussed, 

in  Notes  &  Queries,  is  the  origin  and  history  of  the  prefix  Fitz 
in  such  surnames  as  Fitzwilliam  or  Fitzgerald.  In  translations 
of  Latin  documents,  Fitz  is  constantly  and  wantonly  used  by 
some  editors  to  replace  films  and  its  contractions,  often  without 
any  warrant.  Thus  foedum  Reginaldi  filii  Petri,  is  rendered 


10 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


“the  fee  of  Reginald  Fitzpeter,”  and  we  are  told  that  a  man 
“holds  lands  of  Henry  Fitzconon,”  when  the  Latin  reads  “tenet 
de  Henrico  filio  Conani.  And  Mr.  Freeman  lias  manufactured 
the  curious  designation,  Henry  Fitz-Empress,  out  of  such  entries 
as  in  tempore  Henrici  Regis  filii  Imperatricis,  as  if  Fitz  were  the 
English  for  filius.  Two  explanations  have  been  advanced,  one 
philological,  the  other  palaeographical.  The  philologist  tells 
that  the  Norman  French,  z,  was  pronounced  as  Is,  and  that  the 
form  Fitz  is  due  to  an  attempt  to  preserve  this  sound  in  the  word 
filz  or  fiz,  equivalent  to  the  French  fils  from  filius.  But  they 
have  not  explained  why,  if  the  sound  was  ts,  we  do  not  get  fits 
instead  of  fitz,  and  they  have  not  adduced  any  other  word  in 
which  a  Norman  z  has  become  ts  in  English,  and  finally  they 
have  not  accounted  for  the  fact  that  fitz  does  not  appear  in  con¬ 
temporary  documents  during  the  reigns  of  the  Norman  Kings, 
but  only  at  a  much  later  time  when  the  peculiarities  of  the 
Norman  French  phonology  had  disappeared  in  England. 

On  the  other  hand  the  palaeographers  assert  the  Fitz  is  a 
blunder  of  late  date,  arising  from  the  misunderstanding  of  two 
well  known  abbreviations  used  in  writing  the  word  filius;  the 
supposed  t  being  really  a  barred  l,  representing  li,  as  in  lb  for 
librae,  and  the  z  not  being  the  letter,  but  the  sign  § ,  which  was 
at  one  time  the  common  abbreviation  for  the  termination  us  and 
et,  as  in  omnibg  for  omnibus,  abbatib|  for  abbatibus,  or  vi^  for 
videlicet,  this  sign  being  afterwards  used  for  a  z,  in  order  to  avoid 
confusion  with  the  r-rotunda,  which  z  resembled.  That  such  a 
blunder  is  possible  in  the  case  of  surnames  is  plain  from  the  use 
of  ff  in  such  surnames  as  ffrench  or  ffoulks.  I  have  already 
shown  in  your  columns  (N.  &  Q.,  8th  s  iii  24)  that  this  ff  as  an 
initial,  is  a  misreading  of  the  capital  F,  which  in  the  older  set 
chancery  hand,  was  so  written  as  to  resemble  two  small  f’s  for 
which  it  was  mistaken.  In  like  manner  people  finding  in  family 
documents  the  names  of  their  ancestors  written  Fit  § ,  the  con¬ 
traction  for  filius,  when  the  g  signifies  us  and  the  t  is  really  a 
barred  l  standing  for  li,  might  easily  read  and  pronounce  it  as 
Fitz,  just  as  the  abbreviation  for  videlicet  is  sometimes  viz  by 
those  who  do  not  know  that  the  final  z  is  not  a  letter  but  merely 
a  sign  of  contraction,  or  as  the  name  Sarum  is  due  to  the  mis¬ 
understanding  of  a  contraction  for  Saris  buriensis  in  the  signa¬ 
ture  of  the  Bishop. 

The  question  must  be  determined  by  the  evidence  as  to  the 
origin  of  Fitz,  evidence  which  must  be  sought  in  some  early 
MS.,  where  the  word  is  unmistakably  written  Fitz.  To  be 
decisive  the  last  character  must  be  written  z  and  not  § ,  which 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


11 


before  the  thirteenth  century  was  not  the  letter  z,  but  merely  a 
sign  of  abbreviation  for  us,  and  the  MS.  must  be  earlier  than  the 
middle  of  the  thirteenth  century,  when  the  vertical  stroke  of  t 
began  to  rise  so  far  above  the  cross  bar  as  to  resemble  the  barred 
l  of  earlier  times.  Such  a  decisive  case  I  have  been  unable  to 
find.  In  the  “Hundred  Rolls”  which  mostly  date  from  the  early 
years  of  Edward  I  (1273-1278)  we  have  thousands  of  instances 
of  films  and  its  contractions.  In  some  counties  the  scribes  used 
the  contraction  fit,  when  the  last  letter  is  not  t,  but  a  barred  l. 
Elsewhere  as  in  Cambrigeshire,  it  is  fits,  where  the  t  is  a  barred 
l,  and  the  s  is  the  last  letter  of  filius.  Thus  in  Vol.  ii,  pp.  421-9, 
we  have  scores  of  cases,  such  as  Joh’fits  Nick,  Simo  Fits  Alan, 
Wall’s  Carpenter,  Regin’  fits  Hawis,  Richard’  fits  Joh’,  Hug’  fits 
Julian’,  Rog’s  fits  Job’s,  Rog’s  fits  Avic,  Will’s  fits  Rog’i,  Will’s 
fits  Nich’i,  Joh’  fits  Rober’t,  Joh’es  fits  Eustacli’,  Ada’  fits  Petr’. 
In  all  these  cases  fits  is  plainly  the  contraction  of  filius,  the  third 
letter  being  a  barred  l.  Fitg,  which  might  be  taken  for  the  Nor¬ 
man-French  fiz,  is  another  contraction  for  filius,  a  Walterus  fi§, 
a  cottager  (PI.  R.  ii,  p.  322),  or  Gilbertus  fi  l ,  also  a  cottager 
(H.  R.  ii,  426).  In  the  H.  R.  for  Suffolk,  vol.  ii,  p.  162,  we  have 
Rog.’  le  Fi^  Aubern,  where  the  l  is  plainly  the  sign  of  contrac¬ 
tion,  Jacob  i  for  Jacobus,  and  quib§  for  quibus  appearing  on  the 
same  page.  On  page  427  we  have  a  Richard  fitz  Walt’,  who 
holds  eight  acres  in  villanage,  where  the  word  that  a  careless 
reader  might  take  for  fitz  is  undoubtedly  the  contraction  for 
filius,  the  last  two  characters  being  a  barred  l  for  li,  and  3  the 
usual  sign  for  us. 

This  is  the  probable  explanation  of  the  only  case  in  the 
printed  volumes  of  the  “Hundred  Rolls”  in  which  we  appear 
to  have  the  word  fitz.  This  occurs  in  Essex,  A.  D.,  1273  (H.  R. 
i,  144),  where  we  have  a  Will’em  le  fitz  Wall ,  who  complains 
that  his  horse  has  been  wrongfully  taken.  Out  of  the  many 
thousand  cases  in  the  “Hundred  Rolls,”  this  is,  I  believe,  the 
only  one  where  the  third  character  is  printed  as  a  t,  and  not  as 
a  barred  l,  and  we  are  justified  by  analogy  in  supposing  that  this 
must  be  a  misreading  or  a  misprint,  and  that  we  have  here 
merely  the  usual  contraction  for  filius. 

The  evidence  of  the  Hundred  Rolls  is  supported  by  that  of 
another  document  of  nearly  the  same  date,  Kirby’s  “Inquest,” 
which  was  compiled  in  1284,  in  which  Fitz  occurs  plentifully  in 
the  Editor’s  notes  as  an  equivalent  for  filius,  which  is  found  more 
than  three  hundred  times  in  the  text,  in  which  Fitz  does  not 
occur  once.  We  may  therefore  conclude  that  fitz  bad  not  been 
adopted  at  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century.  In  Kirby’s 


12 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


“Inquest”  we  have  several  mentions  of  the  Fitzwilliams  of 
Sprotborough,  ancestors  of  the  present  Lord  Fitzwilliam,  who 
were  among  the  first  to  use  the  prefix  fitz,  and  hence,  as  they  are 
frequently  mentioned  in  early  documents,  we  obtain  an  indica¬ 
tion  of  the  period  when  it  began  to  be  adopted.  The  pedigree 
drawn  up  by  Hugh  Fitz-William  in  1565  assumes  that  the  name 
Fitz- William  was  borne  long  before  surnames  Avere  used,  even 
in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  and  also  in  several  suc¬ 
ceeding  centuries  during  which  the  name  appears  in  records  as 
films  Willelmi.  This  pedigree  is  therefore  worthless  for  our  pur¬ 
pose.  Passing  over  the  Fitz-William  who  is  said  to  have  come 
OArer  with  the  Conqueror  and  to  have  fought  at  Hastings,  we 
find  that  in  1117  a  person  in  the  pedigree  is  styled  Sir  William 
Fitz-William,  calls  himself  in  a  grant  to  Byland  Abbey,  Willelmus 
filius  Willelmi,  which  also  is  his  style  on  his  seal  appended  to 
the  deed.  One  of  his  descendants,  who  appears  in  the  pedigree 
as  Sir  William  Fitz-William,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas  Fitz- 
William,  of  Sprotborough,  is  not  so  called  in  the  Hundred  Rolls 
for  1275,  but  is  styled,  as  might  be  expected,  Willelmus  filius 
Thomae  Miles,  or  in  the  contracted  form,  Will’  fit  Th.’  Miles,  when 
fit  is  really  fil  with  a  barred  l.  In  1284,  he  is  also  styled  in 
Kirby’s  “Inquest,”  Willelmus  filius  Thomae.  In  the  “Knight’s 
Fee’s”  in  1290,  we  find  his  son  at  Sprotborough  styled  Willelmus 
filius  Wellelmi.  He  bears  the  same  style  in  the  aid  to  Edward  I, 
granted  in  1302,  in  which  we  have  de  Willelmo  filio  Willelmi,  and 
in  1316,  in  the  “  Normina  Villarum,”  he  is  likewise  called 
Willelmus  filius  Willelmi.  Sixty  years  later  we  arrive  at  last  at 
Fitzwilliam  as  a  true  surname,  the  grandson  of  the  Willelmus 
filius  Willelmi  of  1316  appearing  in  the  poll  tax  returns  of  1379 
as  Johannes  fitz  William.  That  fitz  William  was  now  a  surname 
is  proved  by  the  fact  that,  the  father  of  this  John  fitz  William 
was  named  John,  the  son  of  this  second  John  being  also  styled 
Willelmus  fitz  William  in  the  poll  tax. 

Hence  it  Avould  appear  that  the  introduction  of  fitz  as  a 
prefix  in  the  surname  only  dates  from  about  the  middle  of  the 
fourteenth  century,  the  earlier  supposed  cases  being  misunder¬ 
stood  contractions  for  filius,  whereas  if  the  tz  in  fitz  had  repre¬ 
sented  a  Norman  French  z,  we  ought  to  have  found  traces  of  it 
early  in  the  Norman  period  and  not  late  in  the  Plantagenet 
period,  when  owing  to  the  Angevin  rule,  other  dialectic  influ¬ 
ences  had  come  into  operation.  The  cases  cited  by  Prof.  Skeat 
from  “Piers  Plowman  ”  are  inconclusive,  as  they  cannot  be  older 
than  the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century,  when  the  use  of  the 
term  Fitz  was  establishing  itself,  while  they  are  apparently  quoted 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


13 


from  printed  books,  and  not  from  MSS.  themselves.  Hence  till 
some  much  earlier  cases  are  cited  from  MSS.,  the  palaeographical 
explanation  holds  the  ground.” 

In  opposition  to  the  palaeographical  explanation  of  the 
origin  of  the  prefix  “Fitz  ”  as  given  above  by  Isaac  Taylor,  we 
copy  from  “Notes  &  Queries,”  8th  s.  vii.  Jan.  12,  1895,  page  31, 
the  following  reply  of  A.  L.  Mayhew  (Oxford)  in  support  of  the 
philological  explanation. 

“Fitz”  (8th  s.  vi.  443). — Philologists  say  that  “Fitz”  is  only 
a  more  explicit  mode  of  showing  what  is  the  pronunciation  of 
0.  F.  fiz  Lat.  filius.  “  Palaeographers,”  so  says  Dr.  Isaac  Taylor, 
“  assert  that  Fitz  is  a  blunder  of  late  date,  arising  from  the  mis¬ 
understanding  of  two  well  known  abbreviations  used  in  writing 
the  word  filius.”  I  think  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Philo¬ 
logists  are  right  on  this  point,  and  the  palaeographers  are  wrong. 
In  the  first  place,  there  is  no  doubt  among  old  French  scholars 
that  O.  F.  fiz  was  pronounced  fits,  precisely  (so  far  as  the  conso¬ 
nants  are  concerned)  as  we  pronounce  Fitz.  In  Schwan’s  Old 
French  Grammar,  ed.  1893,  §320,  we  are  told  that  l  Mouill6e(lj)+s 
becomes  Its  (written  lz),  so  filius  becomes  filz  (pronounced  lilts)  and 
later  fiz  (pronounced  fits).  Fitz  is  simply  a  contaminated  spelling. 
Compare  on  this  point  Hornings  Introduction,  §148  in  Bartsch 
and  Plorning’s  Langue  et  Literature  Francaises.  That  the  form 
of  fitz  is  simply  a  varient  of  fiz  is  proved  from  the  fact  that  they 
occur  indiscriminately  in  the  same  Anglo-French  texts.  We 
will  appeal  first  to  Bozon’s  Contes  Moralise’s,  edited  by  Miss 
T.  Toulmin  Smith  and  M.  Paul  Moyer.  On  page  177  I  find 
“Purceo  dit  Thobie  a  sown  fitz”  (Therefore  said  Tobias  to  his 
son);  on  p.  25,  si.  vous  avez  fitz  filios;  on  p.  149,  “pur  lourz  fitz” 
(for  their  sons)  also  ses  fiz  (sui  filii)  and  5eauz  filz  (filius).  I  may 
also  refer  to  some  Anglo-French  texts  printed  in  Wright’s  Politi¬ 
cal  Songs  (Camden  Society  No.  6).  On  p.  127  we  read  Priez 
touz  mes  amis  douz,  le  fitz  seinte  Marie  (the  son  of  St.  Mary);  on 
page  235,  “le  fitz  Marie”  (the  son  of  Mary);  on  p.  312,  “par  le 
fiz  Marie”  (by  the  son  of  Mary). 

With  these  passages  before  us  it  is  absolutely  impossible  to 
hold  that  Fitz  is  due  to  the  misreading  of  a  MS.  mode  of  writing 
the  Latin  filius.  We  are  absolutely  shut  up  to  the  conclusion 
that  Fitz  is  a  genuine  Anglo-French  form,  equivalent  to  the  con¬ 
tinental  old  French  forms  fiz  and  filz  and  the  modern  French  fils. 

To  this  article  of  Mr.  Mayhew,  Isaac  Taylor  replied  as  fol¬ 
lows:  “Fitz”  (8th  s.  vi.  443;  vii.  31,  77), — “I  have  to  thank  Mr. 
Mayhew  for  his  citations  from  Anglo-Norman  texts,  which 
would,  however,  have  been  more  serviceable  if  he  had  appended 


3 


14 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


the  dates  of  the  MSS.  from  which  they  are  taken.  Probably  we 
may  conclude  that  there  were  two  concurrent  sources  of  Fitz,  one 
Anglo  Norman,  growing  by  Phonetic  law  out  of  the  Nonnan- 
French  fiz,  and  the  other  the  misreading  of  a  conpendium  for 
filius,  used  in  records  and  other  Latin  documents.  To  the  latter 
we  may  probably  attribute  the  frequent  misuse  of  Fitz  by  chron¬ 
iclers  who  wrote  later  than  the  fourteenth  century,  and  hence 
we  may  star  as  anachronisms  such  names  as  Fitz  Stephen,  Fitz 
Alwin,  Fitz  Walter,  or  Fitz  Gilbert,  so  freely  bestowed  on  per¬ 
sonages  who  lived  in  the  eleventh,  twelfth  and  thirteenth  cen¬ 
turies.  I  agree  with  Mr.  Ellis  that  it  would  be  most  desirable 
to  distinguish  by  some  typographic  device  between  the  genuine 
patronymics  in  Fitz  and  those  cases  where  it  is  a  mere  editorial 
compendium  for  filius.” 

In  regard  to  z  being  pronounced  as  ts,  Walter  W.  Skeat 
replies  to  Isaac  Taylor  as  follows:  “  Fitz  (8tli  s.  vi.  443;  vii.  31). 
It  is  worth  notice  that  z  is  still  sounded  as  ts  in  Italian  and 
German.  Its  relationship  to  t  appears  in  this,  that  where  Ger¬ 
man  has  z,  as  in  zeit,  English  has  t,  as  in  tide.  And  where  Italian 
has  z,  as  in  zio,  Spanish  has  t,  as  in  tio.  That  z  was  ts  in  old 
French  is  obvious.  There  are  hundreds  of  examples.  Thus 
Lat.  habetis  became  abet’s,  then  ’avet’s;  and  the  latter  was  writ¬ 
ten  avez.  It  is  written  so  still,  though  the  sound  is  lost.  And 
so  on,  with  every  verb  in  the  French  language. 

So  again,  Lat.  ad  satis  became  0.  F.  assez  which  is  still 
phonetically  spelt  assets  in  modern  English. 

I  do  not  think  a  barred  l  is  much  like  a  t,  nor  do  I  know  of 
any  case  where  it  is  has  been  taken  for  it,  in  early  times.  Modern 
writing  is  quite  a  different  affair.  A  great  deal  more  might  be 
added.” 

The  orthography  of  the  name  has  not  been  preserved  either 
in  England  or  America,  for  we  find  it  now  in  both  countries 
spelled  differently;  and  it  is  almost  certain  that  the  Fitz, 
Fitts,  Fitt,  Fytz  and  Fytze  families  sprung  from  the  same 
ancestor. 

In  later  days  the  prefix  fitz  was  used  as  a  mark  of  illegiti¬ 
macy,  which  use  of  the  word  originated  in  this  manner.  Llenry 
the  1st  had  an  illegitimate  son,  Robert  by  name.  Henry  wished 
to  marry  this  son  to  Mabel,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Fitz-Hamon, 
earl  of  Gloucester.  The  lady  objected  on  the  ground  that  Robert 
had  no  surname.  The  King  remedied  the  defect  by  giving  him 
the  surname  of  Fitz  Roy.  This  example  was  followed  by  other 
English  Kings  and  Princes  of  the  blood.  The  Fitz-Roys  (dukes 
of  Grafton),  the  Fitz  James  (dukes  of  Berwick)  and  the  Fitz 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


15 


Clarences  (earls  of  Munster),  are  all  of  this  origin,  and  many 
noble  families  of  such  an  origin  now  include  their  royal  pro¬ 
genitors  in  their  genealogical  tables. 

The  family  of  Fitz  is  one  of  great  antiquity,  and  according 
to  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Charles  Edwin  Fitz,  of  New  Orleans, 
La.,  the  names  of  three  or  four  of  its  members  appear  on  the 
rolls  of  Battle  Abbey.  In  the  roll  published  in  Thierry’s  Nor¬ 
man  Conquest,  the  name  occurs  several  times  as  a  prefix,  as  Fitz 
Robert  and  Fitz  Walter;  also  Fitz  John  and  others.  The  Battle 
Abbey  was  built  in  1067,  by  William  the  Conqueror  to  com¬ 
memorate  the  battle  of  Hastings. 

FIRST  GENERATION 

1.  “John  Fitz1, Bencher  of  Lincoln’s  Inn,  was  born  at  or  near 
the  town  of  Tavistock,  Devonshire,  England,  famous  for  its  pro¬ 
duction  of  so  many  eminent  sages  in  the  law  (the  profession 
also  of  this  gentleman),  the  study  whereof  he  sedulously  followed 
in  that  illustrious  hotel  called  Lincoln’s  Inn;  and  he  became  so 
expert  therein  that  he  raised  his  family  to  great  reputation,  both 
for  quality  and  estate,  in  which  it  continued  divers  generations 
after.  He  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the  readers  of  that  honora¬ 
ble  society,  Lincoln’s  Inn  which,  happening  before  the  date  of 
the  register  mentioned  by  Sir  William  Dugdale  doth  begin,  we 
can’t  expect  to  find  him  there.  But  this  can  be  no  argument 
that  he  was  not  so.  However,  in  the  catalogue  of  governors  of 
that  society,  which  commenced  forty  years  before  that  of  the 
readers,  as  may  be  seen  in  that  author  (Dugdale)  we  find  that 
John  Fitz  and  John  Speke,  who  was  either  born  in  or  fetched 
his  original  from  this  county,  Devonshire,  were  two  of  them,  in  the 
6th  of  Henry  the  VI,  which  was  A.  D.  1428.  John  Fitts,  therefore, 
becoming  so  eminent  for  his  great  skill  and  profound  judgment 
in  law  (a  rare  matter  in  that  age  wherein  learning  was  at  so  low 
an  ebb  in  the  nation  that  it  was  thought  much  for  a  person  to 
be  able  to  read  and  write)  had  great  practice,  whereby  he  acquired 
a  considerable  fortune,  which  descended  to  his  posterity.  He 
settled  his  family  at  a  pleasant  seat  lying  in  the  parish  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant  from  the  town  of  Tavistock  aforesaid, 
at  that  time  called  “  Ford,”  from  the  neighboring  passable 
stream  that  glidcth  along  by  it,  unto  which  either  he  or  some  of 
his  ancestors  gave  their  additional  name;  from  thence  called 
Fitzford  unto  this  day.” 

The  above  is  an  extract  from  “  The  worthies  of  Devon,” 
page  301,  and  John  Prince,  the  author,  further  says:  “This 


Fitts  or  Fifz  Family 


16 


family  yieldeth  not  all  gown  men  but  at  least  one  soldier,  whose 
effigies,  lively  cut  in  stone,  all  clothed  in  armour,  lyeth  in  Tavis¬ 
tock  church  aforesaid,  the  only  monument  they  have  there.” 
This  monument  is  in  the  chancel,  and  on  a  flat  stone  in  the 
pavement  beneath  may  be  distinguished  the  following  words 
among  others  that  are  obliterated :  “  Here  lyeth  John  Fitz,  of 
Fitzford,  Esq.”  date  “  1539  ”  or  “1559.”  Beneath  the  canopy, 
which  is  supported  by  four  columns,  lies  the  figures  of  a  knight 
with  a  lady  by  his  side,  the  former  resting  his  feet  on  a  lion,  the 
latter  on  a  lamb.  At  the  back  of  the  monument,  against  the 
wall,  a  youth  is  represented  kneeling,  with  a  book  before  him  on 
a  desk.  The  arms  of  the  family  are  also  on  the  monument. 
They  are — Argent,  a  cross,  gules,  guttee  de  sang. 


Arms : 


Flor.,  A.D.  1428 
R.  R.  Hen.  6 


(Two  elephants’  proboscis  erect.) 

The  sons  of  John  Fitz1  were: 

2.  i.  John  Fitz2,  who  inherited  his  father’s  estate  but,  dying 

without  issue,  was  succeeded  by  — 

3.  ii.  Walter  Fitz2,  who  married  Mary  Sampson. 

4.  iii.  Roger  Fitz2. 

SECOND  GENERATION 
No.  3 

Walter  Fitz2  (John  Fitz’),  supposed  to  have  been  born 
about  the  year  1450.  He  died  in  1510.  He  married  Mary 
Sampson,  succeeded  to  his  father’s  estate  by  the  death  of  his 
elder  brother,  John.  They  had  two  sons: 

5.  i.  John  Fitts3,  m.  dau.  of  Roger  Grenvile. 

6.  ii.  Robert  Fitz3,  m.  and  had  issue. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

THIRD  GENERATION 
No.  5 


17 


John  Fitz3  (Walter  Fitts2,  John  Fitts'),  was  bom  in  the  lat¬ 
ter  part  of  the  fifteenth  century;  he  married  Agnes,  a  daughter 
of  Roger  Grenville.  Their  children  were: 

7.  i.  John  Fitz4,  m.  and  succeeded  his  father  in  his  estate. 

8.  ii.  Edward  Fitz4. 

9.  iii.  George  Fitz4. 

10.  iv.  Grace  Fitz4,  m.  John  Eliot,  Earl  of  St.  Germain. 

11.  v.  Hanor  Fitz4,  m.  William  Kanzese. 

12.  vi.  Catherine  Fitz4,  m.  Wm.  Bond,  of  Earth. 

13.  vii.  Margaret  Fitz4,  m.  Richard  Arscott. 

14.  viii.  Francis  Fitz4. 


No.  6 

Robert  Fitz3  (Walter  Fitz2,  John  Fitz'),  was  born  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  15th  century;  he  married  and  had  issue: 

15.  i.  Robert4,  m.;  died  early,  leaving  a  son. 


FOURTH  GENERATION 
No.  7 

John  Fitz4  (John  Fitz",  Walter  Fitz2,  John  Fitz1),  married 
Mary,  a  daughter  of  Sir  John  Sydenham,  of  Brimpton,  in  Somerset¬ 
shire.  He  was  an  eminent  lawyer  and  left  a  large  volume  in 
MSS., called  “Fitz,  his  reports.”  Either  he  or  his  father  built 
the  conduct  house  at  Fitzford.  The  name  “John  Fytz”  appears 
written  on  a  lease  of  a  field,  giving  him  liberty  to  convey 
water  in  pipes  of  timber,  lead  or  otherwise  to  his  mansion 
house  at  Fitzford,  dated  the  10th  of  Elizabeth.  It  is  related 
of  him,  “  that  while  riding  with  his  wife  in  Dartmoor  they  lost 
their  way  and  were  pixey  led  into  a  bog.  After  long  wan¬ 
dering  in  the  vain  effort  to  find  the  right  path,  they  felt  so 
fatigued  and  thirsty  that  it  was  with  extreme  delight  they  dis¬ 
covered  a  spring  of  pure  water,  whose  powers  seemed  to  be 
miraculous,  for  no  sooner  had  they  satisfied  their  thirst  than  they 
were  enabled  to  find  their  way  through  the  moor  toward  home 
without  the  least  difficulty.  In  gratitude  for  this  deliverance 
and  the  benefit  they  had  received  from  the  water,  John  Fitz 
caused  a  stone  memorial  to  be  placed  over  the  spring,  bearing 
the  date  of  the  year,  for  the  advantage  of  pixey-led  travellers; 


18 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


the  water  is  still  considered  to  possess  many  virtues.”  One  who 
visited  this  spring  as  late  as  1831  writes  as  follows:  “Having 
many  years  since  attempted  to  find  Fitz’s  Well  by  crossing  the 
moor,  when  my  horse  on  getting  into  a  bog,  so  trembled  in  every 
limb  that  I  gave  up  the  search  and  from  some  circumstance  or 
another  never  resumed  it  till  now.  This  day  I  determined  to 
begin  my  investigations.  I  directed  my  course  to  the  house  on 
the  moor  near  Bundle  Store,  where  a  woman  offered  to  guide  us 
to  the  well.  We  proceeded  in  a  northerly  direction  along  the 
eastern  bank  of  the  leat  that  conveys  the  water  to  the  prison. 
After  we  had  gone  about  a  half  a  mile  we  turned  off  at  a  right 
angle,  following  the  direction  of  what  appeared  to  be  an  old 
hedge  or  part  of  an  enclosure,  at  no  great  distance  to  the  left  of 
which  we  reached  the  spring,  which  is  nearly  in  the  midst  of 
a  bog.  It  is  situated  on  a  gentle  declivity  near  Blackabrook 
(over  which  a  little  lower  down  is  an  ancient  foot  bridge).  The 
edifice  about  the  well  consisting  of  flat  stones  of  granite,  is  about 
three  feet  in  height  and  width.  On  the  front  edge  of  the  stone 
is  the  inscription  I.  F.  and  the  date  is  1568.” 

He  was  very  unfortunate  in  his  issue,  of  which  (says  Prince 
p.  303)  there  is  this  remarkable  story.  Mr.  Fitz4  being  a  curious 
as  well  as  a  learned  person  had  been  prying  into  the  secrets  of 
astrology;  his  lady  being  with  child,  he  would  needs  be  enquir¬ 
ing  into  the  future  of  her  burthen,  before  she  was  delivered; 
who  being  just  ready  to  fall  in  travail,  he  erected  a  scheme  to 
calculate  the  matter,  and  as  it  often  falls  out  in  such  unjustifia¬ 
ble  curiosities,  finding  at  that  time  a  very  unlucky  position  of 
the  heavens,  he  desired  the  midwife,  if  possible,  to  hinder  the 
birth  but  for  one  hour;  which  not  being  to  be  done,  he  declared 
that  the  child  would  come  to  an  unlucky  end  and  undo  his 
family.  And  it  fell  out  accordingly,  for  that  birth  proving  a 
son,  though  afterwards  knighted  by  the  name  of  Sir  John  Fitz, 
of  Fitzford,  yet  having  first  slain  Mr.  Nich.  Slanning,  of  this 
County,  and  after  that,  one  or  two  more;  he  fell  upon  his  own 
sword  and  destroyed  himself.  The  widow  of  John  Fitz  married 
Sir  Henry  Kuyvet,  of  Chattleton  in  Weltshire;  but  he  dying, 
she  married  Sir  Christopher  Harris,  of  Radford.  The  only  son 
of  John  Fitz  and  Mary  Sydenham  was: 

16.  i.  John  Fitz5,  b. - m.  dau.  of  Sir  Wm.  Courtnay; 

d.  1606.  # 


Note.— See  autobiography  of  Anna  Eliza  Bray,  page  208,  where  she  gives  the  facts 
upon  which  her  romance,  “  Fitz  of  Fitzford,”  was  founded;  and  also  a  review  of  her  novel 
in  the  Gentleman’s  Magazine,  1830,  part  1,  page  156. 


19 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

No.  isr 

Robert  Fitz1  (Robert  Fitz3,  Walter  Fitz2,  John  Fitz'),  b. 
Married;  and  died  at  the  age  of  29,  leaving  a  son. 

17.  i.  Walter  Fitz5 

FIFTH  GENERATION 

No.  16 

John  Fitz5  (John  Fitz4,  John  Fitz3  Walter  Fitz2,  John  Fitz1), 

was  born - created  a  Knight  by  Queen  Elizabeth  in - 

and  married  Gertrude,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Courtnay,  of 
Powderham  Castle.  Sir  John  Fitz5  fought  a  duel  at  the  gateway 
of  the  Fitz  mansion  in  the  year  1599,  of  which  Prince,  in  bis 
“Worthies  of  Devon,”  page  303,  says:  “Sir  John  Fitz  having 
slain  Mr.  Nicholas  Slanning,  of  this  county,  and  after  that,  one 
or  two  more,  he  fell  upon  his  own  sword  and  destroyed  himself.” 
In  his  account  of  the  Slannings,  Prince  thus  describes  this  duel 
and  the  other  homicides.  In  writing  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Slanning 
he  says  (page  568):  This  gentleman  the  father  of  Sir  Nicholas 
Slanning,  came  to  an  untimely  end,  being  slain  in  a  quarrel  that 
happened  between  him  and  Sir  John  Fitz  near  Tavistock  in  this 
county.  The  matter,  it  seems,  was  likely  to  have  been  com¬ 
posed,  hut  the  villian,  Fitz’s  man,  twitting  his  master  with 
“What!  Play  child’s  play?”  “Come  to  fight  and  now  put  up 
your  sword?”  made  him  draw  again,  and  Slanning’s  foot  in 
stepping  back  (having  his  spurs  on)  hitching  in  the  ground  was 
there  unfortunately  and  foully  killed.  Whereupon  Sir  John 
Fitz,  by  the  interest  of  his  friends,  sued  out  his  pardon  soon 
after  this  happened,  which  was  A.  D.  1599.  But  although  the 
Queen  (Elizabeth)  was  pleased  to  forgive  him,  Slanning’s  widow 
would  not,  hut  brought  her  appeal  and  obtained  a  verdict  against 
Sir  John  for  damages.  After  this,  as  if  one  sin  became  (as  often¬ 
times  it  doth)  the  punishment  of  another,  Sir  John  was  so 
unfortunate  as  to  he  guilty  of  a  second  murder;  and  therefore 
flying  from  his  country,  though  not  from  his  own  guilty  con¬ 
science,  so  far  a  Salisbury  or  there  about,  in  his  way  to  London 
to  sue  out  a  second  pardon,  hearing  some  body  about  his  chamber 
door  early  in  the  morning,  and  fearing  it  had  been  officers  come  to 
apprehend  him,  by  mistake,  in  the  dark,  he  slew  one  of  the  house 
come  to  awake  him  as  he  desired,  in  order  to  resume  his  journey. 
When  the  lights  came,  that  made  him  sensible  of  the  horrid  and 
atrocious  fact,  which  he  had  afresh  committed,  overwhelmed  with 
sorrow  and  despair,  lie  fell  upon  his  sword  and  slew  himself. 
The  only  child  of  Sir  John  Fitz5  and  Gertrude  Courtnay  was : 

18.  i.  Mary  Fitz5,  horn  about  1590;  m.  4  times. 


Fitts  or  Fifz  Fam  ily 
No.  17 


20 


Walter  Fitz°  (Robert  Fitz'',  Robert  Fitz3,  Walter  Fitz2, 
John  Fitz1),  supposed  to  have  been  born  about  1650.  He  was  a 
cotemporary  of  Sir  Francis  Drake  (who  married  a  niece  of  Sir 
John  Fitz’s  mother),  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  and  Sir  Richard  Gren¬ 
ville,  and  with  the  latter  two,  tradition  says,  he  had  business 
relations.  He  married  and  had  a  son,  to  wit: 

19.  i.  Robert  Fitz0,  b.  about  1600;  m.  1st,  Anne  Barnes;  2d, 
Grace  Lord. 

SIXTH  GENERATION 
No.  18 

Mary  Fitz0  (Sir  John  Fitz0,  John  Fitz4,  John  Fitz3,  Walter 
Fitz2,  John  Fitz1),  was  born  about  1590.  She  grew  up  to  be  a 
woman  of  remarkable  beauty,  was  sole  heiress  of  Sir  John 
Fitz’s0  estate;  possessed  of  strong  and  masculine  powers  of  mind, 
she  had  attained  more  than  the  ordinary  accomplishments  of 
her  sex  and  station.  She  had  many  suitors,  and  the  first  gentle¬ 
men  in  the  land  were  anxious  to  win  the  beautiful  and  gifted 
heiress  of  Fitzford.  She  was  married  to  Sir  Allan  Percy  in  1608, 
and  left  a  widow  in  1613.  Her  next  husband,  Thomas  Darc}q 
son  of  Lord  Darcy,  could  not  have  lived  very  long,  as  she  was 
still  young  and  beautiful  when  her  third  husband,  Sir  Charles 
Howard  killed  himself.  At  that  time  it  was  said  of  her  that  she 
was  “still  in  the  pride  of  rank,  fortune  and  beauty,  one  of  the 
stateliest  dames  that  frequented  the  Court  of  Queen  Henrietta 
Maria.”  Worth,  in  his  “History  of  Devonshire,”  says  of  her: 
“Lady  Howard  was  on  quite  friendly  terms  with  the  famous 
George  Villiers,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  and  he  prevailed  on  her 
to  Marry  Sir  Richard  Grenville,  her  fourth  husband;  but  she  was 
so  well  alive  to  her  own  interests  that  she  settled  her  estates 
beyond  the  power  of  Grenville  to  control.  On  the  breaking  out 
of  the  civil  war,  he  naturally  took  the  Royalist’s  side,  as  his  wife 
inclined  to  the  parliament,  and  as  a  first  reward  of  loyalty,  had 
a  sequestration  of  her  estates.”  In  the  notice  of  Sir  Richard 
Grenville,  in  the  “Dictionary  of  National  Biography,”  the  date 
of  his  marriage  with  Lady  Howard  is  Octr.,  1629,  and  he  was 
created  baronet  April  9th,  1630  (col.  state  papers,  Dom.  1639-40, 
page  415),  and  his  wife  obtained  a  separation  and  alimony  in 
1631.  Sir  Richard  Grenville  was  violent  when  he  discovered 
that  his  wife  had  settled  her  estates  beyond  his  power;  and  was 
accused  of  terming  the  Earl  of  Suffolk  (brother  of  Mary’s  last 
husband),  a  “bare  Lord,”  for  refusing  to  pay  him  money  due  to 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


21 


Lady  Grenville,  for  which  he  was  sentenced  by  the  Star  Cham¬ 
ber  to  pay  £4000  to  the  King  and  £4000  to  the  Earl.  When  he 
obtained  a  sequestration  of  her  estates  he  had  hung,  as  a  spy, 
Francis  Brabant,  the  lawyer  who  conducted  the  suit  against 
him.  She  subsequently  recovered  her  estates,  and  he  died  in 
poverty  in  1658,  while  she,  as  Lady  Howard,  lived  in  wealth 
and  splendor  until  1672.  ILer  children  by  Sir  Chas.  Howard 
died  before  she  did  and  her  daughters  by  Sir  Richard  Grenville 
were  left  pennyless  at  her  death,  as  she  gave  her  property  with 
Fitzford  to  her  mother’s  family,  the  Courtnays. 

If  half  of  the  stories  told  of  Mary  Fitz'1  were  true,  she  must 
have  been  a  female  “Blue  Beard,”  not  less  formidable  in  dispo¬ 
sition  than  commanding  in  person  and  manners.  Many  of  the 
hobgoblins  tales  of  Tavistock  are  connected  with  the  name  of 
this  remarkable  lady.  The  Courtnays  sold  Fitzford  to  the  Duke 
of  Bedford,  who  was  the  owner  in  1887.  The  remains  of  the 
mansion  have  been  turned  into  a  stable  and  out-house;  the  gate¬ 
way,  covered  with  ivy,  is  still  standing. 

On  a  grave  in  a  garden  at  Tavistock  there  is  a  stone  to  the 
memory  of  some  Fytz,  with  this  on  it: 

“  Ye  patriot  race,  fond  favorites  of  renown, 

Yours  was  the  warlike  sword,  the  peaceful  gown.” 

No.  19 

Robert  Fitts6  (Walter  Fitz5,  Robert  Fitz4,  Robert  Fitz3, 
Walter  Fitz2,  John  Fitz1),  was  born  about  1600;  married  Ann 
Barnes.  They  came  to  America,  he  on  the  “George,”  she  after¬ 
wards  on  the  “Abigaile.”  The  date  or  year  of  their  arrival  is 
not  set  opposite  their  names  on  the  muster-rolls  of  these  vessels, 
but  the  dates  of  all  persons  on  these  muster-rolls  range  from 
1620  to  1624.  See  list  of  emigrants  to  America,  1600  to  1700, 
by  John  Camden  Hotten,  page  227.  It  is  certain  that  both  he 
and  his  wife  were  in  Virginia,  living  in  James~Island,  February 
16th,  1623,  as  their  names  are  included  in  a  list  of  names  of 
“  those  living  in  Virginia  ”  at  that  date,  by  the  same  author  (Hot¬ 
ten),  on  page  178,  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  he  came  in  the 
latter  part  of  1622  and  his  wife  early  in  the  year  1623.  He 
settled  a  plantation  in  Virginia  as  early  as  1624,  as  he  states  in 
a  petition,  made  by  him  and  a  widow,  Alice  Harris,  to  the  Privy 
Council,  in  1638,  when  on  a  visit  to  England,  that  they  had 
been  planters  in  Virginia  14  years. 

“  This  petition,  as  published  in  the  Calendar  of  State  papers, 
Colonial  Series,  1574-1660,  Preserved  in  the  State  Department 


4 


22 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


of  her  Majesty’s  Public  Record  Office,”  edited  by  W.  Noel 
Stanbury,  Esq.,  on  page  91,  is  as  follows: 

1628?  54.  Petition  of  Robert  Fitt,  Anne,  his  wife,  and 
Alice  Harris,  a  poor  widow,  to  the  Privy  Council.  Have 
been  fourteen  years  planters  in  Virginia  and  lately  brought  over 
16  hogshead  of  tobacco,  for  which  they  have  not  the  means  to 
pay  custom.  Pray  for  a  W arrant  for  the  free  discharge  of  the 
tobacco,  to  enable  them  and  their  families  to  return  to  their 
plantations.” 

The  correct  date  of  this  petition  must  have  been  1638.  The 
interrogation  point  (?)  was  placed  after  the  date  1628,  by  the 
compiler  (as  it  could  not  have  been  put  there  by  the  petitioners, 
in  the  original  petition)  on  account  of  his  inability  to  tell 
whether  the  figure  standing  in  the  ten’s  place  was  a  “3”  or  a 
“2”;  if  the  figures  were  all  legible,  he  used  this  mark  to  express 
doubt  or  disbelief.  The  true  date  of  this  petition  must  have 
been  “1638”  for  the  following  reasons:  1st,  no  tobacco  was  cul¬ 
tivated  in  Virginia  until  1614,  and  there  were  only  80  planta¬ 
tions  in  Virginia  in  1622,  the  date  of  the  massacre  of  347 
colonists  by  the  Indians,  and  it  is  altogether  incredible  that  he 
and  his  wife  and  Mrs.  Harris  had  plantations  in  Virginia  at  that 
date.  2d,  few,  if  any,  females  came  to  Virginia  before  1620. 
3d,  both  Robert  and  his  wife  Ann  came  to  Virginia  between  the 
1st  of  January,  1620  and  the  16th  of  February,  1623.  Their 
names  could  not  have  been  on  the  muster  rolls  given  by  IJotten 
had  they  have  come  earlier  than  1620,  and  they  were  living  on 
“James  iland,”  Va.,  the  16th  of  February,  1623.  They  did  not 
come  at  the  same  time;  he  came  on  the  “George,”  she  on  the 
“Abigaile.”  If  they  had  ever  been  in  Virginia  before  this,  they 
would  have  returned  together,  and  it  is  a  reasonable  conclusion 
that  Robert  first  came  over  in  1622,  when  many  came  to  assist 
the  colonists  after  the  masacre  of  April  of  that  year,  and  during 
which  year  the  “Indians  were  given  no  quarter  and  were  driven 
back  into  the  wilderness,”  and  after  all  fear  of  the  depredations 
of  the  Indians  had  subsided,  he  then  made  preparations  for  the 
comfort  of  his  wife,  and  she  came  on  the  “Abigaile”  the  last  of 
1622  or  the  first  of  1623. 

The  colony  in  Virginia  never  began  to  increase  in  wealth  and 
population  until  1626,  and  from  a  population  of  less  than  3,000  at 
that  date,  it  grew  to  20,000  in  1648.  The  planters  were  in  much 
better  condition  to  visit  England  in  1638  than  they  were  in  1628. 

The  Rev.  James  Hill  Fitts,  resident  member  of  the  New 
England  Historic  Genealogical  Society,  published  a  pamphlet  in 
1869,  of  91  pages,  giving  the  “genealogy  of  the  Fitts  or  Fitz 


Fitts  or  Filz  Family 


23 


family  in  America,”  and  in  this  pamphlet  he  seems  to  have 
thought  that  this  was  the  Robert  Fitts,  whom  tradition  says  went 
to  Ipswick  in  1635,  and  was  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Salis¬ 
bury,  Mass.,  in  1639,  and  that  his  only  son  was  Abraham,  whose 
descendants  are  the  only  ones  given  in  his  “genealogy,”  and  at 
that  date  (1869)  they  numbered  908,  as  therein  recorded,  and  the 
records  of  many  others  could  not  be  obtained.  This  Robert  Fitts 
who  was  in  Virginia  in  1623,  and  had  a  plantation  there  for  14 
years  could  not  have  been  the  Robert  who  was  the  original  set¬ 
tler  in  Salisbury,  which  plantation  was  begun  in  1639.  On  his 
return  from  England  with  his  family,  after  his  visit  which  we 
have  shown  was  in  1638,  he  returned,  as  he  states  in  his  petition 
he  desired  to  do,  to  his  plantation  in  Virginia.  It  is  incredible 
that  he  would  have  left  the  plantation  where  he  and  his  family 
had  resided  14  years,  and  upon  which  he  had  prospered  suffi¬ 
ciently  to  revisit  England  with  his  family,  to  have  gone  to 
Salisbury  to  begin  life  anew  in  the  woods.  There  is  little 
doubt  but  that  he  remained  in  Virginia  until  his  death, 
and  that  one  of  his  sons  was  named  after  him  and  followed  the 
vocation  of  his  father  and  was  living  in  St.  James  Parish  in 
1679,  hut  the  records  of  James  City  County  being  destroyed,  it 
cannot  be  proven. 

20.  Robert  Fitts7. 

SEVENTH  GENERATION 
No.  20 

Robert  Fitts7  (Robert®,  Walter5,  Robert',  Robert3,  Walter2, 
John1). 

Hotten  on  page  50,  “Ann;  Accot:  of  the  land  As  Itt:  stand- 
eth:  In  ye  Church  books:  with  the  number  of  servants  And 
Negroes  With  the  names:  of  the  owners  thereof  In  the  psh:  of 
St.  James:  as  was  taken  by  the  Church  Wardens  of  the  said  Par¬ 
rish  the  20th  December  1679.” 

Under  this  caption  the  name  of  Robert  Fitte  is  placed  as 
owning  “land  F.  30  and  14  Neg’s.”  The  final  letter  “s”  of 
the  surname  could  easily  have  been  mistaken  by  the  compiler 
or  printer  for  an  “e,”  and  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  Robert  here  mentioned  is  Robert7,  and  that  he  named 
one  of  his  sons  after  Henry  Teake,  a  wealthy  friend  and 
brother  churchman.  My  belief  as  to  the  line  of  descent 
through  Robert",  Robert7,  and  his  son  Henry8,  is  founded  on 
many  little  facts,  but  while  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  present 
absolute  proof,  I  have,  after  diligent  search,  been  unable  to  find 


24 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


any  other  connecting  lines,  and  therefore  give  them  as  the  most 
probable.  If  the  records  of  James  City  County  had  not  been 
destroyed,  1  feel  sure  that  the  proof  would  have  been  found  in 
the  deeds  and  wills  of  that  county. 

21.  Henry  Fitts8. 


EIGHTH  GENERATION 
No.  21 

Henry  Fitts8  (Robert7,  Robert6,  Walter6,  Robert1,  Robert3, 
Walter,  John1),  was  born  in  Virginia.  Grants  of  land  were 
made  to  him  by  patents  issued  by  the  Governor,  W.  Gooch,  as 
appears  on  the  “Virginia  Land  Registry,”  in  the  State  Land 
office  as  follows:  “Henry  Fitts,  400  acres  in  Prince  George  county 
on  the  head  of  Leadbekeis  River,  Feb.  9th  1737.” 

“Four  hundred  acres  in  Prince  George  Co.  on  Mammussun 
creek  and  adjoining  the  lands  of  Bolling  &  Fitzgerald,  Sept. 
5th  1749.” 

Two  hundred  and  four  acres  in  Prince  George  Co.,  on  both 
sides  of  Mawhoponock  creek,  and  adjoining  the  land  of  Edward 
Traylor,  Dec.  15,  1749.  It  is  believed  he  settled  in  Prince  George 
county  in  1737  or  1749,  and  that  part  of  this  county  is  now 
Dinwiddie  county.  He  very  likely  had  several  children,  and 
among  them  one  son: 

22.  Henry  Fitts9,  born  about  1730. 

As  the  records  of  both  Prince  George  and  Dinwiddie  counties, 
Va.,  were  destroyed  during  the  confederate  war,  1861-65,  much 
information  of  Henry  Fitts8  and  his  family  is  forever  lost. 

NINTH  GENERATION 
No.  22 

Henry  Fitts0  ( 

was  born  about  1730,  and  was  brought 
by  his  father  when  quite  young  to  Prince  George  county,  Va., 
where  he  was  raised  on  the  farm,  and  received  a  limited  educa¬ 
tion  from  the  best  schools  of  the  county.  He  lived  in  that  por¬ 
tion  of  the  county  out  of  which  Dinwiddie  county  was  formed, 
near  the  creek  which  is  the  boundary  line  between  Amelia 
county  and  Dinwiddie.  He  married  Susannah  Studivant  and 
removed  to  Warren  county,  N.  C.,  about  1773,  and  settled  near 
the  present  county  seat,  Warrenton,  which  at  that  date  consti¬ 
tuted  a  part  of  Bute  county.  His  history  up  to  40  years  of  age 
is  little  known,  the  records  of  Dinwiddie  county  being  destroyed, 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


25 


which  doubtless  contained  records  of  his  father’s  family.  For 
his  children,  see  family  record,  where  he  is  designated  as  Henry 
Fitts',  of  whose  descendants  we  have  positive  knowledge,  while 
we  have  not  absolute  proof  of  the  eight  preceding  generations,  and 
for  this  reason  we  make  the  change  from  Henry  Fitts"  to  Henry 
Fitts1  in  the  tabulated  record. 

DEED  TO  HENRY  FITTS 

This  indenture  made  this  twenty  third  day  of  October  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy 
three,  and  in  the  thirteenth  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign 
Lord,  King  George  the  third,  Between  Isaac  Howell  of  the 
County  of  Dinwiddie  of  the  one  part,  and  Henry  Fittz  of  said 
county  of  the  other  part,  Witnesseth  that  for  and  in  considera¬ 
tion  of  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pouncts  current  money  by  the 
said  Henry  Fittz  in  hand  paid  to  the  said  Isaac  Howell  at  or 
upon  the  sealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents,  the  reciept 
whereof  he  dotlie  hereby  acknowledge,  he,  said  Isaac  Howell 
hath  bargained,  sold,  aliened  enfeoffed  and  confirmed,  and  by 
these  presents  grant  bargain,  alien,  sell,  enfeoff  and  confirm  unto 
the  said  Henry  Fitts  his  heirs  or  assigns  the  following  tract  or 
parcel  of  land  containing  by  estimation  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  lying  on  both  sides  of  Hawtree  creek,  being  the 
upper  part  of  a  tract  of  land  formerly  belonging  to  John  Haw¬ 
kins  in  the  Province  of  North  Carolina  and  county  of  Bute, 
granted  by  deed  to  Charles  Poytheress  of  Dinwiddie  County, 
adjoining  Joshua  Ellis;  thence  down  to  Traver’s  Roe’s  dividing 
line;  thence  across  the  creek  to  John  Jones’  line  formerly  called 
Yung’s  line,  and  thence  up  the  said  Jones  line  to  Ellis’  line, 
and  thence  to  the  beginning,  with  all  woods,  underwoods,  ways 
waters,  water  courses  mines  houses,  gardens  hereditaments  and 
appurtenances  thereto  belonging  or  appertaining,  and  the  revis¬ 
ion  and  revisions,  remainder  and  remainders,  rents  issues  and 
profits  thereof,  and  also  all  the  estate,  right,  title  claim  and 
demand  of  him  the  said  Isaac  Howell  of  in  and  to  the  same  or 
any  part  thereof,  together  with  all  evidence  and  writing  touch¬ 
ing  or  in  anywise  concerning  the  above  tract  or  parcel  of  land 
and  premises,  with  the  appurtenances  hereby  bargained  to  the 
said  Henry  Fitts,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the  only  use  and 
behoof  of  him  the  said  Henry  Fitts,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 
And  the  said  Isaac  Howell  for  himself  his  heirs  executors  and 
Admr’s  do  covenant  and  grant  to  and  with  the  said  Henry  Fitts 
his  heirs  and  assigns  that  he  the  said  Isaac  Howell  and  his 


26 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


heirs  all  and  singular  the  premises  with  the  appurtenances 
unto  the  said  Henry  Fitts,  his  heirs  and  assigns  against  all 
and  every  person  and  persons  whatsoever  lawfully  claiming 
the  same,  shall  and  will  forever  warrant  and  defend  by  these 
presents.  In  witnesseth  whereof,  he,  the  said  Isaac  Howell  hath 
hereunto  set  his  hand  and  seal  the  day  and  year  above  written. 
Signed  sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 

Isaac  Howell  [seal] 

Hen.  Studivant. 

his 

Travis  x  Rees 

mark 

Epraim  Ellis 

William  Ellis 

Bute  County — August  Court  1774.  This  deed  was  proven 
by  the  oath  of  Ephraim  Ellis  a  witness  thereto,  and  on  motion 
the  same  is  ordered  to  be  registered. 

Test.  Benj.  McCullock  C.  C. 

The  foregoing  deed  from  Isaac  Howell  to  Henry  Fittz  hav¬ 
ing  been  proved  in  Bute  Inferior  Court  of  Pleas  and  Quarter 
Sessions:  and  ordered  to  be  registered,  the  same  is  truly  regis¬ 
tered  this  day,  8th  of  Sept.  1774. 

By  James  Johnson,  Pub.  Regr. 

North  Carolina  ]  Office  of  Register  of  Deeds. 

Warren  County  j  I,  M.  F.  Thornton,  Register  of  Deeds  of 
said  Warren  County,  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  foregoing  is  a 
true  and  exact  copy  of  a  certain  deed  and  its  probate  from  Isaac 
Howell  to  Henry  Fittz,  and  which  is  duly  recorded  in  said  Reg¬ 
ister’s  Office  in  Book  5  page  27.  In  witness  whereof,  I  have 
hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  of  office  this  17th  day  of  April  1894. 

M.  F.  Thornton,  Register. 


In  1779,  he  obtained  a  grant  of  land  from  the  state  of  N.  C., 
issued  by  Governor  Richard  Coswell.  After  this  time,  he  seems 
to  have  bought  and  sold  many  tracts  of  land. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
WILL  OF  HENRY  FITTS9 


27 


State  of  North  Carolina,  1 

Warren  County.  /  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen. 

I,  Henry  Fitts,  Sr.,  being  in  perfect  health  and  of  sound 
and  desposing  mind  and  memory,  do,  this  second  day  of  Jan¬ 
uary,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  Eight  hundred  and 
two  (1802),  make  and  ordain  this  my  last  will  and  Testament  in 
manner  and  form  following:  Viz;  My  will  and  desire  is  that  my 
Executors  hereafter  named  shall  pay  all  my  just  debts  out  of 
such  part  of  my  personal  Estate  as  they  shall  deem  most 
proper. 

Item  1st.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  beloved  wife 
Susannah  the  land  and  plantation  whereon  I  do  live  containing 
two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  during  her  life,  being  the  land  I 
reserved  during  my  life,  and  the  life  of  my  said  beloved  wife 
Susannah  in  a  deed  I  made  to  my  son  Henry  Fitts.  Also  I  give 
and  bequeath  unto  my  beloved  wife  Susannah  all  the  rest  and 
residue  of  my  Estate  whatsoever,  real  or  personal,  during  her  life. 

Item  2.  After  the  death  of  my  beloved  wife  Susannah  I 
give  unto  my  son  Oliver  Fitts  one  negro  girl  Fannie,  and  all  the 
increase  she  may  have  from  this  time  till  the  time  arrives  when 
the  said  Oliver  is  to  take  her  into  his  possession  to  him,  his 
heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

Item  3.  After  the  death  of  my  beloved  wife  Susannah  1 
give  and  bequeath  all  the  estate  before  willed  to  her,  of  whatso¬ 
ever  nature  or  kind  the  same  may  be  (except  the  aforesaid  negro 
girl  Fannie  and  her  increase)  to  be  equally  divided  among  my 
four  children.  0.  Fitts,  Sally  Fussell,  Nancy  Brame  and  Henry 
Fitts  jr  to  them,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  share  and  share 
alike;  and  I  do  hereby  appoint  my  two  sons  Oliver  and  Henry 
Fitts  my  Executors  to  this  my  last  will  and  testament. 

And  I  do  hereby  disannul,  revoke  and  make  void  all  former 
wills  and  testaments  by  me  heretofore  made,  allowing  and  hold¬ 
ing  for  good  this  and  this  alone  to  be  my  only  true  and  last  will 
and  testament. 


Henry  Fitts,  Sr.  [Seal] 

Signed  sealed  and 
published  in  the  presence  of 
Andrew  Small, 

John  Ellis, 

Hardredge  Sliurin. 


28 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Warren  County,  North  Carolina, 
August  Court,  1804. 

This  last  will  and  testament  of  Henry  Fitts  sr.  was  proved 
in  open  Court  by  the  oaths  of  Andrew  Small  and  John  Ellis 
and  ordered  to  be  recorded. 

M.  Duke  Johnson  C.  C. 


N.  B. — In  giving  the  descendants  of  my  great-great-grand- 
father,  who  is  here  put  in  the  9th  generation  and  designated  as 
Henry  Fitts9,  I  have  placed  him  in  the  1st  generation,  desig¬ 
nated  Henry  Fitts1,  thus  distinguishing  the  true  record  of  his 
posterity  from  the  probable  record  of  his  ancestors. 


29 


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Sallie  D.  Fitts'* .  April  12,  1844  .  July  1,1863  Edward  Hall  Plummer .  Oct.  28,1876  Tenn . 

James  Monroe  Fitts4 .  Sept.  8,1845  .  Mar.  7,1866  Bettie  Tunstall  Hunter .  .  Macon,  N.  C . 


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177  11  Lizzie  Faulcon  Fitts5 .  Nov.  21,  i860  .  Jan.  25,1881  Benjamin  Flinn .  Montgomery.  Ala  .. .  131 

178  in  William  Faulcon  Fitts5 .  Mar.  12,  1863  May  15,  1863  Feb.  6,  1884  Helen  McEachin . Tuscaloosa,  Ala .  132 


No.  41. — Children  of  James  Harris  Fitts4  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Burges)  Fitts 


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276  11  Alice5  Bobbitt . April  15,  1856  .  Feb.  5,1880  Charles  Blackwell  Scoggin  .  Palmer  Springs, Va. . 

277  hi  Edward  Fletcher6  Bobbitt,...  Mar.  25,1858  .  Susan  C.  Smith . 

278  iv  Brame5  Bobbitt .  Mar.  29,  i860  . 

279  v  Fletcher5  Bobbitt .  Dec.  2,  1862  .  Eva  B.  Bracy . . 


No.  65. — Children  of  Rebecca  Dorothy4  Brame  and  Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Long 


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292  11  Skiles  Henry5  Foster . April  8,1810  .  Ellsworth' Texas 

293  hi  Sydney  J. 6  Foster .  Mar.  14,1862  . . ! .  !!!!!!!”!!!!  Ellsworth’ Texas’. 


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504  11  Robert  Rod  well*  Palmer .  July  14.  1:885  .  1893 

505  hi  Horace”  Palmer .  Oct.  18, 1887  . 1893 

506  iv  Sallie  Fitts6  Palmer .  Feb.  7,  1890  1893 

507  v  Nathan  Milan6  Palmer .  Aug.  23,  1892  1893 


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521  in  Will  R. 15  Newell .  Jan.  20,  1889  .  Palmer  Springs, 

522  iv  John  Clay0  Newell .  July  20,1891  Palmer  Springs, 

523  v  Ethel0  Newell .  June  10,  1893  .  Palmer  Springs, 


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OLIVER  FITTS  2 
No.  i 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


64 


No.  1 

Oliver  (Henry1)  Fitts2  was  born  in  Dinwiddie  County,  Va., 
about  1771,  and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Warren  County, 
N.  C.,  where  he  was  raised  and  educated.  In  1795,  when  about 
twenty-four  years  old,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Harris,  of  Surry 
County,  Va.,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  He 
was  a  Lawyer  of  ability  and  prominence,  and  was  Attorney 
General  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  from  1808  to  1810.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  the  County  of 
Warren  in  1798-99.  On  the  17th  of  April,  1810,  he  was  nomi¬ 
nated  by  James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States,  as 
Judge  of  the  Mississippi  Territory,  and  the  nomination  was  con¬ 
firmed  by  the  Senate  next  day.  At  this  date,  Alabama  was 
included  in  the  Territory  of  Mississippi,  and  the  Federal  Courts 
were  held  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  and  St.  Stephens,  Ala.  He  set¬ 
tled  at  the  latter  place  and  removed  his  family  from  North 
Carolina.  Late  in  life  he  married  a  widow  (Mrs.  Ashe?)  who, 
after  his  death,  was  married  to  Gen.  Buchanan.  He  continued 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  Federal  Judge  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  at  St.  Stephens,  Ala.,  in  the  year  1816. 


64a 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


/fajJZ  yv 


No.  4 


Henry  Fitts2  (Henry  Fitts1)  was  born  in  the  year  1778,  and 
the  place  of  his  nativity  in  all  probability  was  Warren  county, 
N.  C.,  where  his  parents  settled  in  1773.  His  educational 
advantages  in  early  life  seem  to  have  been  quite  limited,  and  it 
has  been  said  that  he  never  attended  school  but  six  months.  Of 
his  youthful  occupation  very  little  can  now  be  learned.  It  is 
known  that  he  was  once  employed  in  a  mercantile  house  in 
Petersburg,  Va.,  and  that  at  times  he  was  inclined  to  lead  a  wild 
and  dissipated  life;  but  from  his  great  success  and  influence  in 
early  manhood,  and  the  fact  that  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sal  lie  Duke,  a  member  of  one  of  the  wealthiest 
and  most  influential  families  of  Warren  county,  renders  it  almost 
certain  that  much  of  his  time  was  spent  in  self  education  and 
the  acquisition  of  valuable  and  useful  knowledge. 

After  his  marriage  to  Miss  Duke,  in  1798,  he  engaged  in 
farming  in  Warren  county,  and  connecting  himself  with  the 
Methodist  E.  Church,  soon  became  a  local  preacher. 

In  1809,  at  the  age  of  31,  he  was  elected  State  Senator  for 
Warren  county.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  had  no  love  or 
taste  for  political  life.  Had  he  possessed  aspirations  for  political 
fame,  he  doubtless  would  have  taken  a  high  rank  in  the  councils 
of  our  State  and  General  government.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
of  1812,  he  was  left  pennyless  and  his  failure  was  caused  as 
much,  probably,  by  his  neglect  of  his  planting  interests,  for 
church  and  State  affairs,  as  to  the  depreciation  of  values  incident 
to  the  war.  Such  was  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  in 
his  honesty  and  ability  that  his  credit  was  not  {Effected  by  his 
failure.  Left  without  means  at  the  age  of  34,  with  a  wife  and 
seven  children  to  support,  he  was  stimulated  rather  than  ener¬ 
vated  by  the  situation.  He  now  bent  all  his  energies  to  retrieve 
his  fortune;  and  determined  to  farm  on  an  extensive  scale,  if  the 
arrangement  to  do  so  could  be  made.  He  soon  effected  the 
arrangement  by  purchasing  of  a  Mr.  Todd  a  large  tract  of  land 
near  the  town  of  Warrenton,  N.  C.,  for  $7,000,  to  be  paid  for  in 
seven  annual  payments  of  $1,000  each.  This  tract  is  now  owned 
by  one  of  his  grandsons,  Major  W.  C.  Drake.  After  the  war  of 
1812,  the  article  of  tobacco  brought  highly  remunerative  prices 
to  the  farmer;  making  tobacco  his  market  crop,  his  success  was 
such  that  he  was  not  only  able  to  meet  his  first  payment  but  all 
the  expenses  of  his  farm  and  family,  and  also  to  buy  a  stock  of 
goods  for  a  country  store,  with  which  he  commenced  business  as 
a  merchant.  These  two  transactions  laid  the  foundation  for  his 


HENRY  FITTS  3 
No.  4 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


65 


fortune,  for  he  continued  to  prosper,  both  as  a  planter  and  mer¬ 
chant,  and  at  his  death  in  1847,  he  owned  many  valuable  tracts 
of  land  and  a  large  number  of  slaves.  The  most  of  his  life  was 
spent  at  his  country  home.  He  only  lived  in  Warrenton  a  few 
years  when  educating  his  children,  of  whom  he  had  thirteen; 
and  he  lived  to  see  twelve  of  them  married.  His  hospitable 
home  was  not  only  the  headquarters  for  the  ministers  of  the 
Methodist  E.  Church,  but  was  also  the  rendezvous  above  all 
other  places  in  the  surrounding  country  where  his  children  and 
their  numerous  friends  loved  to  congregate  for  social  pleasure. 
Here  with  a  generous  spirit  he  dispensed  a  liberal  hospitality 
for  many  years,  which  continued  until  his  death. 

He  administered  not  alone  to  the  social  pleasures  of  his 
friends  and  the  spiritual  needs  of  his  neighbors,  but  also  to  the 
relief  of  their  bodily  sufferings;  for  although  he  had  never  taken 
a  regular  course,  he  had  read  several  medical  works,  and  his 
successful  practice  on  his  farm  and  in  his  own  family,  had  gained 
for  him  the  reputation  of  being  a  fine  physician.  He  always 
kept  a  supply  of  medicines,  and  when  called  to  see  the  sick,  he 
gave  them,  like  his  prescription  and  visitation,  without  remun¬ 
eration.  On  account  of  his  excellent  judgment  and  generous 
nature,  he  was  looked  up  to  by  all  his  county  friends  for  counsel, 
and  he  was  ever  ready  to  advise  and  assist  them  when  in  trouble. 

On  his  farm,  eight  miles  north  of  Warrenton,  he  preferred 
to  lead  the  quiet  life  of  a  country  gentleman,  and  never  sought 
for  any  position  of  honor  or  the  emoluments  of  office.  By  the 
unsought  solicitations  and  votes  of  his  fellow  citizens,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Court  of  Pleas  and  Quarter  Sessions  for  many 
years,  and  served  as  chairman  of  that  honorable  body  for  several 
years,  being  regarded  as  the  leading  spirit  in  all  county  affairs. 

He  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Democratic  Convention, 
which  met  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  1840.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  Randolph  Macon  College, 
which  position  he  had  filled  with  honorable  distinction  for 
several  years. 

When  the  announcement  of  his  death  was  made  to  the 
Hon.  Robert  Jones,  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  Warrenton,  he 
remarked:  “One  of  the  greatest  intellects  of  our  time  has  passed 
away.”  He  was  not  alone  in  this  opinion,  for  another  of  high 
attainments  himself,  was  heard  to  say:  “Mr.  Fitts  was  one  of 
the  greatest  men  I  ever  knew.  He  was  a  splendid  farmer,  a 
successful  merchant,  a  better  lawyer  than  most  of  the  licensed 
attorneys,  a  good  physician  and  an  excellent  preacher.”  By 
many  in  the  State  he  was  considered  the  intellectual  peer  of 


10 


66 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


such  men  as  Macon,  W.  N.  Edwards,  W.  A.  Graham  and  Thomas 
Bragg,  who  held  the  highest  positions  in  the  State. 

The  death  of  his  excellent  and  lovely  wife  cast  a  gloom 
over  him  from  which  he  never  recovered,  and  he  survived  her 
only  a  few  years,  dying  in  1847  at  his  homestead,  and  was 
buried  in  the  family  graveyard  which  he  had  chosen  and  laid 
out  for  the  last  resting  place  of  the  members  of  his  household. 

No.  5 

James  Harris  (Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts3,  was  born  in  War¬ 
ren  county,  N.  C.,  on  the  12th  of  March,  1796,  where  he 
was  raised  and  educated.  He  obtained  a  fair  education  at  the 
common  country  schools  of  his  county.  Before  attaining  his 
majority  he  married  Rebecca  Emily  Alston,  the  daughter  of 
Samuel  Alston,  son  of  Philip  Alston.  Her  mother,  the  wife  of 
Samuel  Alston,  was  Elizabeth  Faulcon,  daughter  of  Nicholas 
and  Lucy  W.  Faulcon,  of  Surry  county,  Va.;  and  her  paternal 
grandmother,  the  wife  of  Philip  Alston,  was  Winnefred  Whit- 
mell.  The  Alston  family  in  North  Carolina  were  of  high 
respectability,  wealth  and  influence,  and  claimed  descent  from 
William  Alston,  of  Stisted,  in  Essex,  who  lived  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  I.  The  American  ancestor  of  Rebecca  Emily  Alston 
was  John  Alston.  (See  line  of  descent  and  arms  of  the  family 
at  end  of  this  sketch.) 

The  marriage  of  James  H.  Fitts3  and  Rebecca  Emily  Alston 
took  place  on  the  30th  of  June,  1814,  in  Warren  county,  N.  C. 
As  she  was  born  Feb.  15th,  1797,  she  was  under  eighteen  and 
he  a  little  over  the  age  of  eighteen  at  the  time  of  their  marriage. 
They  resided  in  N.  C.  only  a  short  time,  and  removed  to  Alabama 
the  last  of  1815  or  the  first  of  1816,  and  settled  on  Bassett’s 
creek  in  Washington  county  near  Old  St.  Stephens,  where  they 
purchased  a  plantation.  In  1821  he  purchased  a  large  tract  of 
land  from  a  Mr.  Hatch,  lying  on  the  Tombigbee  river  near  Jack- 
son  in  Clarke  county,  and  moved  there  that  year,  his  residence 
being  situated  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  Jackson.  The 
next  year  he  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  Alabama  from 
Clarke  county  and  served  as  a  representative  in  the  lower  house 
for  1822-23. 

While  residing  at  Jackson,  Mr.  Fitts  commenced  the  busi¬ 
ness  of  salt  making  near  that  place.  He  employed  as  a  foreman 
a  Mr.  Black,  who  subsequently  amassed  a  fortune  and  proved  a 
valuable  friend  to  his  family  after  his  death.  On  account  of 
salt  becoming  such  a  cheap  article,  the  works  were  abandoned, 
but  many  years  after  when  salt  rose  in  value  during  the  Con- 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


67 


federate  war,  these  salt  works  proved  of  great  value  to  the  State. 
When  the  canebrake  lands  in  Marengo  county  began  to  be 
cleared,  and  proved  so  well  adapted  to  cotton  culture,  Mr.  Fitts 
bought  a  tract  of  some  1,200  acres,  three  miles  from  “  Wood- 
ville,”  now  Uniontown.  He  also  purchased  small  tracts  on  each 
side  of  the  village.  A  portion  of  these  lands  were  opened  for 
the  cultivation  of  corn  and  cotton,  and  a  plantation  begun  while 
he  was  also  planting  in  Clarke  county  on  a  large  scale.  These 
lands  in  Marengo  county  became  very  valuable  and  served  to 
enrich  his  children,  by  the  good  management  of  his  oldest  son. 

From  1823  until  his  death  Mr.  Fitts  devoted  his  time  and 
energy  to  his  two  plantations,  one  in  Clarke  and  the  other  in 
Marengo.  He  had  no  aspirations  for  political  honors,  and  his 
service  in  the  State  legislature  seemed  to  have  increased  his  dis¬ 
like  to  the  life  of  the  politician;  for  he  declined  being  a  candi¬ 
date  for  re-election,  notwithstanding  the  earnest  entreaties  of 
his  distinguished  friend,  Hon.  Dixon  H.  Lewis,  and  the  warmest 
solicitations  of  many  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Under  his  judicious 
management  his  plantations  proved  profitable,  and  he  added  to 
his  estate  annually  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  16th 
day  of  July,  1832,  on  the  plantation  in  Marengo  county,  Ala. 
He  was  assassinated  by  a  discharged  superintendent  named 
Cabiness,  who  shot  him  through  a  window  when  he  was  sitting 
at  the  supper  table.  Before  committing  the  murder,  the  mur¬ 
derer  had  made  every  preparation  for  a  hasty  flight,  and 
although  he  was  pursued  by  the  sheriff  with  a  posse  and  Judge 
John  Fitts  to  Florida,  he  succeeded  in  making  his  escape  and 
was  never  brought  to  justice.  Mr.  Fitts  was  buried  at  Wood- 
ville,  now  Uniontown,  in  the  cemetery  which  he  had,  without 
consideration  deeded  to  the  town,  and  where  his  wife  and  several 
of  his  children  were  afterwards  buried.  Mr.  Fitts  was  remarka¬ 
ble  in  stature  and  of  commanding  personal  appearance.  He  was 
six  feet  and  two  inches  in  height,  weighed  a  little  over  two 
hundred  pounds,  with  a  very  symmetrical  figure,  and  possessed 
great  strength  and  activity.  He  was  fond  of  wrestling  and 
swimming,  and  either  on  land  or  in  water  he  could  easily  man¬ 
age  two  ordinary  men.  Ilis  mental  endowments  partook  of  the 
character  and  symmetry  of  his  person,  “  Mens  sana  in  sano  corpore.” 
With  sound  judgment  and  fearlessness,  he  was  eminently  con¬ 
servative  in  action,  and  in  business  transactions  distinguished 
between  enterprise  and  speculation.  With  great  self  possession 
in  times  of  excitement,  he  united  a  rare  benevolence  that  made 
him  ever  ready  to  relieve  the  distressed  and  afflicted.  He  was 
never  influenced  by  fear  or  entertained  malice.  The  following 


08 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


incident  in  his  life  will  serve  to  illustrate  his  character :  When 
a  member  of  the  Legislature  he  assisted  in  defeating  a  bill  to 
legalize  a  divorce  of  one  of  his  constituents,  who  being  enraged 
made  threats  to  kill  him.  He  was  informed  of  these  threats  by 
several  friends  and  advised  by  them  to  shoot  the  party  on  sight. 
Believing  the  party  had  made  the  threats  under  excitement,  and 
would  not  attempt  to  put  them  into  execution,  Mr.  Fitts  did 
not  even  arm  himself  with  a  weapon  of  defense.  On  his  return 
to  Jackson  he  was  shot  at  by  this  party  with  a  rifle,  just  as  he 
turned  a  street  corner,  the  ball  passed  above  his  head  and 
through  two  planks  of  a  store  door  in  his  rear.  Rushing  upon 
his  assailant  he  disarmed  him  and  gave  him  a  very  severe  beat¬ 
ing.  Immediately  afterwards,  while  the  assembled  crowd  were 
urging  him  to  take  the  life  of  the  would-be  assassin  who  was 
still  bleeding  and  sitting  on  the  ground  near  by,  Mr.  Fitts  turned 
to  his  family  physician  and  directed  him  to  dress  the  wounds  of 
the  man  who  had  attempted  to  murder  him  a  few  minutes 
before.  Subsequently  with  others  he  gave  bond  for  his  release 
from  jail  for  this  same  offense,  and  the  party  fled  the  country 
leaving  his  bondsmen  to  pay  the  bond.  It  is  worthy  of  mention 
that  Mr.  Fitts  was  a  lover  of  thoroughbred  horses  which  he  bred. 
He  owned  a  race-course  at  Jackson  and  attended  the  fall  and 
spring  races  there  with  his  horses  and  riders  in  livery,  but  was 
never  known  to  wager  a  cent  upon  a  race. 

By  his  will  he  left  the  greater  portion  of  his  estate  to  his 
wife,  but  she  declined  to  have  the  will  probated,  preferring  to 
share  the  estate  equally  with  her  children,  nine  in  number,  the 
oldest  under  18  years  of  age,  and  the  youngest  born  three  months 
after  the  death  of  her  husband.  Rebecca  Emily  (Alston)  Fitts, 
his  wife,  was  the  second  daughter  of  Samuel  Alston,  who  was 
the  eighth  child  of  Philip  Alston  of  Bute  County,  N.  C.,  where 
she  was  born  Feb.  15th,  1797.  Her  mother  was  Elizabeth 
Faulcon,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Lucy  Faulcon  of  Surry 
County,  Va.  Born  of  wealthy  parentage,  Rebecca  Emily  Alston 
was  reared  in  affluence  and  refinement,  and  educated  at  home 
by  the  “  Family  Tutor.”  Although  her  father  died  at  the  age 
of  37  years,  when  she  was  only  ten  years  of  age,  his  gentle  loving 
care  and  chivalrous  nature  so  inspired  the  heart  of  his  little 
daughter,  with  love  and  veneration,  that  she  often  spoke  of  him 
in  her  old  age  with  the  greatest  admiration  and  warmest  affec¬ 
tion.  Early  impressed  with  a  love  for  the  true,  the  beautiful 
and  the  good,  she  was  a  lovely  representative  of  the  illustrious 
family  from  whom  she  descended  and  exemplified  in  all  the 
trying  vicissitudes  of  her  life  that  nobility  of  soul  and  those 


REBECCA  EMILY  (Alston)  FITTS 
Wife  of  No.  5 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


69 


exalted  virtues  which  for  many  years  had  distinguished  her 
paternal  ancestors.  The  quiet  and  unostentatious  manner  in 
which  she  daily  did  deeds  of  love  and  charity,  was  excelled 
alone  by  the  calm  fortitude,  with  which  she  bore  the  severest 
afflictions  of  life. 

In  the  last  part  of  the  year  1832,  Mrs.  Fitts  removed  from 
Clarke  County  and  settled  on  the  plantation,  in  Marengo  County 
near  Uniontown,  then  called  Woodville.  She  and  her  oldest 
son,  Samuel,  took  charge  of  the  estate,  and  although  he  was 
under  age,  his  uncle,  Judge  William  Crawford,  soon  secured  his 
appointment  as  Administrator  of  the  estate,  and  enabled  him  to 
give  the  requisite  bond  of  $90,000  for  its  proper  management. 
He  continued  to  serve  as  Administrator  for  nineteen  years,  until 
the  youngest  child  attained  his  majority.  The  estate  was  kept 
together  without  assignment  of  dower,  and  as  each  child  married 
or  became  of  age,  received  his  or  her  part  of  the  estate,  being  an 
equal  share  with  the  widow  in  accordance  with  her  original 
determination.  While  residing  on  the  plantation,  she  suffered 
a  heavy  loss  and  a  painful  bereavement  in  the  death  of  her  eldest 
daughter,  Sarah  Harris,  who  had  just  returned  home  from  Mobile, 
where  she  had  completed  her  education.  The  loss  of  such  a 
daughter  so  lovely  in  person  and  character  would  have  been  a 
crushing  sorrow  to  one  of  less  fortitude. 

In  August,  1836,  she  left  the  plantation,  in  Marengo,  in 
charge  of  her  son,  and  with  the  other  children  removed  to 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  in  order  to  be  with  them  during  the  period  of 
their  education,  and  to  enable  her  to  educate  them  with  more 
economy.  She  spent  the  rest  of  her  life  in  Tuscaloosa,  where 
she  devoted  her  fortune  and  all  the  energy  of  her  refined  and 
cultivated  nature  to  the  moral  and  intellectual  improvement  of 
her  family.  During  periods  of  financial  depression,  or  when 
there  was  a  failure  of  the  crop  on  the  plantation,  she  practiced 
the  strictest  economy  in  all  household  affairs  in  order  to  give 
her  children  the  best  advantage  for  education  which  the  State 
afforded.  She  had  a  just  conception  of  the  duty  and  dignity  of 
woman  in  training  the  dawning  intellect  and  preparing  the 
youthful  mind  with  correct  principles.  Would  that  all  mothers 
could  fully  appreciate  the  influence  they  exert  for  weal  or  woe, 
in  the  training  of  their  children.  There  is  nothing  more 
potent  in  restraining  the  unruly  passions  or  in  stimulating 
the  noble  efforts  of  men  in  mature  life  and  old  age,  than  the 
recollections  of  the  gentle  teachings  of  a  loving  mother.  With 
what  earnest  longings  the  heart,  in  after  years,  yearns  for  the 
continual  guidance  of  a  mother’s  loving  faith  and  care,  amid  the 


70  Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

perplexities  of  business  life  is  beautifully  set  forth  in  the  follow¬ 
ing  lines  : 

“  Oh!  could  the  faith  in  childhood's  days, 

Oh !  could  the  little  hymns  of  praise, 

Oh!  could  its  simple,  joyous  trust 
Be  re-created  from  the  dust 
That  lies  around  a  wasted  life, 

The  fruit  of  many  a  bitter  strife ; 

Oh,  then  at  night  in  prayer  I’d  bend 
And  call  my  God,  my  Father,  Friend , 

And  pray  with  child-like  faith  once  more 
The  prayer  my  mother  taught  of  yore ; 

Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep 
I  pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  keep,” 

Her  daughters  were  educated  at  the  Female  Institute,  in 
Tuscaloosa,  under  the  management  of  Mrs.  Hentz,  Miss  Moore 
and  Mrs.  Stafford;  and  her  sons  at  the  University  of  Alabama. 
After  removing  to  Alabama,  she  had  no  opportunity  for  many 
years  of  attending  the  Episcopal  church  in  which  she  had  been 
baptized  and  raised.  She  usually  attended  the  M.  E.  church,  and 
became  a  member  in  1842,  and  was  a  zealous  and  exemplary  mem¬ 
ber  till  her  death,  which  occurred  in  Tuscaloosa  on  the  29th  of 
March,  1858.  Her  remains  were  carried  to  Uniontown,  Ala.,  and 
buried  by  those  of  her  husband.  Her  funeral  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Hutchinson,  from  the  text :  “  0  death,  where  is 
thy  sting ;  0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory.”  He  attended  her 
during  her  illness,  and  only  a  few  moments  before  she  breathed 
her  last  he  commenced  to  sing :  “  0,  sing  to  me  of  heaven, 

when  I  am  called  to  die,”  and  she  made  repeated  efforts  to  join 
in  the  song.  The  following  extract  from  an  extended  notice  of 
her  death,  which  appeared  in  the  city  papers,  will  give  some 
idea  of  the  estimation  in  which  she  was  held  by  the  community 
in  which  she  resided  for  more  than  twenty  years:  “With  a 
strong  and  discriminating  mind  she  sought  the  wisdom  of  our 
Savior  to  guide  her,  and  few  have  ever  made  the  pilgrimage  of 
earth  who  conformed  so  strictly  to  His  walk  and  conversation. 
She  has  reared  a  large  family  of  children,  whom  she  has  impressed 
with  her  own  elevated  sentiments,  and  never  was  any  one  better 
prepared,  or  more  resigned  to  obey  the  call  of  her  Maker.  Her 
biography  is  written  by  acts  of  love  on  many  a  heart,  and  her 
tomb  is  hallowed  by  grateful  recollections  of  her  excellence. 
Her  life  was  an  inspiration  of  Christian  virtue,  her  death  was  a 
manifestation  of  Christian  glory.”  The  indwelling  spirit  of 
Christ  which  manifested  itself  in  outward  acts  was  regarded  by 
her  as  evidence  of  the  Christian  life,  and  she  was  tolerant  of  all 
creeds.  She  made  a  small  contribution  to  the  Roman  Catholics 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


71 


for  the  erection  of  their  church  building,  in  the  city  of  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  at  a  time  when  many  considered  it  wrong  to  aid  that  body 
of  Christians  in  any  manner. 

Four  of  her  children  preceded  her  to  the  grave — a  son, 
Oliver,  before  she  became  a  widow,  two  daughters,  Sarah  Harris 
and  Rebecca  Emily,  one  at  16  and  the  other  at  15  years,  and 
Dr.  John  H.  Fitts  at  the  age  of  24.  The  six  remaining  children 
often  assembled  around  the  hearthstone  of  their  mother  for  whom 
they  bore  an  affection  which  increased  with  their  years. 

“  My  Mother’s  Love!  how  sweet  the  name. 

What  was  that  Mother’s  Love  ? 

The  noblest,  purest,  tenderest  flame, 

That  kindles  from  above 
Within  a  heart  of  earthly  mould, 

As  much  of  Heaven  as  heart  can  hold 
Nor  through  eternity  grows  cold: 

That  is  my  Mother’s  Love.” 

Of  all  modern  cliivalric  expressions,  “mother-love”  is  one 
of  the  purest  and  most  honorable.  Sir  Walter  Scott  gives  an 
illustration  of  this  in  a  story  of  a  toast  once  given  at  a  feast  in 
the  crowded  hall  of  a  Baronial  Castle.  Each  gallant  Knight, 
in  order,  springs  up  and  drains  the  brimming  cup,  and  names 
his  best  loved  lady.  It  is  St.  Leon’s  turn  —  St.  Leon,  noblest  of 
all  the  guests.  As  he  pledges  one  whose  love  hath  lasted  longer, 
been  more  deeply  felt  than  that  of  any  lady  yet  named,  each 
guest  angrily  upstarts  and  demands  the  name. 

St.  Leon  paused,  as  if  he  would 

Not  breathe  her  name  in  careless  mood, 

Thus  lightly  to  another, 

Then  bent  his  noble  head,  as  though 
To  give  that  word  the  reverence  due, 

And  gently  said:  “  My  Mother.” 


Coat  of  Arms  of  the  Alston  Family. 


The  American  Ancestor  of  this  branc  of  the  Alston  Family. 


72 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


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.  Williams.  b.  Feb.  15,  1797,  m.  Dr.  Sol  Williams,  d.  Unm.  b.  1806, 

m.  J.  H.  Fitts,  June  30,  1814,  d.  s.  p.  m.  Ruina  T.  Williams, 

d.  March  29,  1858. 


SAMUEL  ALSTON 


ELIZABETH  (Faulcon)  ALSTON 


/ 


SUSAN  B.  FITTS8 
No.  6 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


73 


No.  6 

Susan  Brown  (Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  N.  C.,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1799,  and  came  with  her 
father  to  St.  Stephens,  Ala.,  in  1816.  She  was  married  to  Daniel 
B.  Ripley  in  the  year  1818.  He  was  a  son  of  Gen.  Ripley  of 
Massachusetts. 

Her  second  husband  was  Mr.  E.  F.  Comegys  of  Maryland. 
She  had  two  children  by  each.  Her  first  husband,  Daniel  B. 
Ripley,  was  a  lawyer  —  a  man  of  ability  and  learning,  but  lived 
only  five  years  after  marriage,  dying  in  1823,  at  St.  Stephens,  Ala. 

She  spent  the  greater  portion  of  her  life  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala., 
where  her  second  marriage  took  place  in  1834.  Among  the 
refined  and  cultured  people  of  the  old  Capital  of  the  State,  she 
was  justly  esteemed  for  her  domestic  virtues  and  social  attrac¬ 
tions.  She  was  of  a  gentle  and  generous  disposition  and  par¬ 
ticularly  fond  of  the  young ;  overlooking  their  youthful  foibles 
and  indiscretions.  Devoted  to  her  children,  her  latter  years  were 
spent  with  them,  and  her  time  given  to  their  interests  and 
welfare.  One  of  her  children,  Capt.  E.  F.  Comegys,  survives 
her,  at  whose  home,  in  Denton,  Texas,  she  died,  on  May  26, 1887. 

Edward  Freeman  Comegys,  the  second  husband  of  Susan 
Brown  (Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts3,  was  born  in  Kent  County,  Mary¬ 
land,  April  13,  1797,  and  married  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  in  1834. 

Mr.  Comegys  was  for  several  years  cashier  of  the  Bank  of 
the  State  of  Alabama ;  and  at  one  time  was,  by  appointment  of 
the  Governor,  Treasurer  of  the  State.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
merchant  at  Tuscaloosa.  He  was  above  the  medium  height,  of 
a  commanding  presence  and  scrupulously  neat  in  his  dress. 
His  household  was  marked  by  elegance  and  refinement. 

He  died  in  Courtland,  Ala.,  on  Jan.  10,  1875. 

Temperance  Winnefred  (Oliver2  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  in 
1802.  In  the  year  1820,  at  St.  Stephens,  Ala.,  she  was  married 
to  William  Crawford.  She  was  a  woman  of  rare  accomplish¬ 
ments  and  queenly  beauty,  and  with  her  distinguished  husband 
exerted  an  influence  for  good,  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  which  was 
felt  for  many  years.  She  died  in  August,  1867. 

William  Crawford,  husband  of  Temperance  Winnefred  Fitts3 
(Oliver2,  Henry1),  was  born  in  1784,  and  came  from  Louisa 
County,  Va.,  to  St.  Stephens,  Ala.,  as  Federal  District  Attorney, 
in  1817.  His  ability  at  once  placed  him  prominently  before  the 
public.  He  was  elected  president  of  the  Bank  of  St.  Stephens 
in  1818.  He  practiced  law  with  the  Hon.  Henry  Hitchcock,  as 
a  partner,  until  that  gentleman  was  transferred  to  the  Supreme 


u 


74 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Bench.  In  1822  he  was  a  candidate,  before  the  Legislature,  for 
the  Federal  Senate,  with  three  competitors,  and  on  the  first 
ballot  ran  ahead  of  Hon.  Win.  R.  King,  of  Dallas  County  ;  but 
the  contest  being  narrowed  to  the  two,  Col.  King  was  successful. 
He  was  a  trustee  of  the  University  of  Alabama  from  1824  to  1828. 

In  1825  he  was  chosen  to  the  State  Senate  from  the  district 
composed  of  Washington,  Mobile  and  Baldwin  Counties,  but 
resigned  the  next  year  to  accept  the  office  of  Federal  District 
Judge,  an  office  which  he  held  for  over  twenty  years,  with  much 
credit  to  himself  and  honor  to  the  State.  He  was  a  man  of 
strong  antipathies  austere  bearing,  but  he  was  a  thorough  lawyer 
and  a  dignified  magistrate.  His  decisions  mark  him  as  am 
eminent  jurist ;  and  he  was  universally  regarded  as  a  just  and 
incorruptable  judge.  He  removed  to  Mobile,  Ala.,  in  1827,  and 
retiring  from  politics,  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  the  dis¬ 
charge  of  his  official  duties,  as  Federal  Judge  of  U.  S.  District 
Court,  sitting  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  Mobile,  Ala.,  Feb.  27,  1849,  where  he  was  buried,  and  where 
a  tombstone,  erected  by  his  family,  marks  his  grave. 

No.  9 

John  (Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  in  Warren  County, 
N.  C.,  in  1804.  He  was  educated  at  the  University  of 
North  Carolina,  at  Chapel  Hill,  during  1820-23 ;  afterwards 
settled  at  St.  Stephens,  Ala.  He  was  an  active,  enterprising 
planter,  and  soon  acquired  a  considerable  fortune.  In  1830  he 
married  Virginia  Wilmonia  Aylette,  a  daughter  of  Col.  William 
Aylette,  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.  She  was  born  April  23,  1813,  and 
died  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  Jan.  31st,  1850.  Mr.  Fitts  was  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  from  Washington  County,  in  1829. 
Subsequently  he  devoted  himself  to  planting  and  merchandising. 
He  owned  a  large  body  of  land  near  Dayton,  Marengo  County, 
Ala.,  upon  which  he  farmed  extensively,  growing  corn  and 
cotton,  with  the  labor  of  his  numerous  slaves.  His  start  in  life 
was  made  by  borrowing  $10,000  from  the  Bank  of  St.  Stephens, 
Ala.,  and  investing  the  same  in  24  negro  slaves.  He  owned  a 
store  at  Areola,  on  the  Warrior  River,  about  a  mile  above  Demo- 
polis ;  also  one  at  Woodville,  now  Uniontown,  in  Perry  Co.  (in 
1833-4),  and  another  at  Prairie  Bluff,  on  the  Alabama  River. 
By  planting,  merchandising  and  trading,  he  amassed  a  large 
fortune,  which  was  lost  before  he  attained  the  age  of  65  years. 
He  was  at  one  time  clerk  of  the  U.  S.  District  Court,  sitting  at 
Mobile,  Ala.,  where  he  resided  for  many  years.  The  remains  of 
his  wife  are  buried  in  that  city,  and  the  place  of  burial  is 


TEMPERANCE  W.  FITTS  3 
No.  8 


Judge  WILLIAM  CRAWFORD 
Husband  of  No.  K 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


75 


marked  by  a  tombstone  erected  by  her  children,  on  which  is 
appropriately  inscribed :  “  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  for 

they  shall  see  God.”  He  died  in  Clay  County,  Mississippi,  at 
the  residence  of  his  son,  Capt.  Win.  A.  Fitts,  on  the  13th  of 
December,  1882,  being  78  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Fitts  was  of  a  bold,  frank  and  unsuspicious  nature;  too 
careless,  perhaps,  of  his  own  affairs.  Liberal  to  a  fault,  he  often 
gave  his  aid  and  sympathy,  which,  if  diligent  regard  for  his  own 
interests  had  been  taken,  would  have  been  found  misplaced. 
His  latter  years  and  old  age  were  blessed  with  the  comfort  of 
seeing  his  children  all  established  in  life,  and  occupying  posi¬ 
tions  of  honor  and  social  distinction,  that  education,  refinement 
and  a  worthy  family  pride,  justified. 

No.  10 

Oliver  Harris  (Oliver2,  Henry')  Fitts3  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  N.  C.,  about  the  year  1806,  and  carried,  by  his  father, 
to  St.  Stephens,  Ala.,  in  1816.  By  a  severe  attack  of  “white 
swelling  ”  he  was  made  a  cripple  through  life  and  limped  badly 
when  walking.  He  was  a  planter.  In  early  life  he  was  quite 
dissipated.  He  went  to  Texas  and  settled  in  Harrison  County, 
where  he  married  Nancy  Moore.  Their  marriage  proved  to  be 
an  unhappy  union,  and  they  were  divorced.  He  returned  to 
Alabama,  retaining  the  custody  of  the  two  living  children,  and 
settled  in  Clarke  County.  In  1872,  on  the  2d  day  of  June,  he 
was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  Geo.  H.  Hunt,  and  confirmed  the  same 
day  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
Alabama,  in  Christ  (Episcopal)  Church,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 
From  that  day  he  led  an  exemplary  Christian  life  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  at  the  home  of  his  niece,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Leach, 
in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  on  the  lltli  day  of  February, 
1881,  and  was  buried  in  Greenwood  cemetery.  The  place  of  his 
sepulture  is  marked  by  a  neat  tablet,  erected  by  his  nephew, 
Mr.  J.  H.  Fitts. 


No.  20 

Mary  Pariiam  (Henry2,  Henry')  Fitts3  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  N.  C.,  on  the  31st  of  January,  1799.  She  was  educated 
in  Warrenton,  N.  C.  She  died  March  1,  1856. 

Col.  George  Rogers  was  married  to  Mary  Parham  Fitts3 
(Henry2,  Henry')  on  the  13th  of  March,  1823,  in  Warren  County, 
N.  C. 

He  was  born  in  Mechlenburg  County,  Va. 


76 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  21 


Susan  Fitts3  (Henry3,  Henry')  was  born  in  Warren  County, 
N.  C.,  in  1800. 

John  Eldrege  Twitty  married  Susan  Fitts3  in  1822.  He 
was  born  in  Franklin  County,  N.  C. 

No.  22 

Winnefred  (Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts3,  generally  called  “Win¬ 
nie,”  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  May  3,  1802.  She  was 
educated  at  Warrenton,  N.  C.  She  married  Mathew  Mann 
Drake  on  Nov.  23rd,  1825,  and  after  forty  years  of  happy  wedded 
life,  she  died  in  her  native  county,  in  October,  1870.  Possessing 
a  strong  mind  and  a  pure  heart,  she  did  her  life  work  well,  and 
its  influence  will  be  felt  for  generations  to  come. 

Mathew  Mann  Drake  was  born  June  6,  1797,  and  was  the 
descendant  of  a  family  of  antiquity  and  celebrity.  His  father, 
Caswell  Drake,  was  a  son  of  Edmond  Drake,  who  was  a  brother 
of  James  Drake,  who  with  his  son  Albretain,  made  a  gallant 
defense,  when  his  house  was  attacked  by  the  Tories,  in  1778,  in 
Nash  County,  N.  C.  Two  of  his  brothers  were  senators  of  North 
Carolina  —  Hon.  Edwin  Drake,  in  1862,  and  Hon.  Dr.  Joseph  A. 
Drake,  in  1870.  The  family  is  descended  from  Richard  Drake,  a 
brother  of  Sir  Francis  Drake,  the  great  Navigator,  and  have  traced 
their  origin  back  to  John  Drake,  the  grandfather  of  Sir  Francis. 

A  magnificent  statue  of  Sir  Francis  Drake,  by  Bohem,  now 
stands  near  the  Mansion  of  the  Fitz’s  in  Tavistock  Devonshire, 
Eng.,  which  spot  is  noted  in  local  history  as  the  scene  of  a  duel 
between  Sir  John  Fitz  and  Mr.  Slanning,  in  1599. 

Mathew  Mann  Drake  was  a  man  of  vigorous  mind  and 
great  force  of  character,  and  was  for  many  years  a  prominent 
figure  in  Warren  County.  He  died  Jan.  11,  1865,  in  Warren 
County,  N.  C. 


No.  24 

Caroline  (Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  married  Horace  Palmer, 
May  24,  1838.  She  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  Dec.  13, 
1803,  and  was  educated  at  Mordecai  School,  in  Warrenton.  She 
died  in  September,  1846. 

Horace  Palmer,  husband  of  Caroline  Fitts3,  was  from  Meck¬ 
lenburg,  Va.,  and  was  born  Oct.  12,  1801.  Pie  resided  in  War¬ 
ren  County,  N.  C.,  and  died  May  9,  1882.  He  was  a  man  of 
prominence. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  25 


77 


Elizabeth  (Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  married  to  Nathan 
Milan,  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  Sept.  4,  1827.  She  was  born 
Nov.  23,  1805,  and  died  Aug.  14,  1884. 

Nathan  Milan,  husband  of  Elizabeth  Fitts3,  was  born  Jan. 
25,  1802.  He  was  a  planter  and  man  of  energy  and  liberality. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in  which  faith  he  died, 
Oct.  16,  1870. 

No.  26 

Oliver  Duke  (Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  Oct.  3, 1807, 
in  the  County  of  Warren,  N.  C.  He  was  educated  at  Middleton 
Military  Institute,  Conn,  and  married  April  15,  1828,  to  Harriet 
Elizabeth  Ann  Collins,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Betsy  (nee  Drake) 
Collins  of  the  same  county  and  State.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons  of  North  Carolina  in  the  year  1842.  He 
died  Feb.  28,  1854,  aged  46. 

He  was  particularly  fond  of  his  home  and  family,  and  very 
indulgent  to  his  children.  Olivia,  being  his  eldest  daughter; 
was  his  pet  and  idol.  She  never  had  a  wish  ungratified  while 
he  lived,  when  made  known  to  her  father. 

Not  long  after  finishing  his  education,  at  Middleton,  Conn., 
he  was  married  and  settled  on  his  plantation.  He  was  very 
hospitable  and  popular.  The  poor  for  miles  around  came  to 
him  in  their  trouble,  and  were  never  sent  empty  handed  away. 
His  name  is  perpetuated  among  their  children  to  this  day.  A 
daughter  of  his  was  passing  a  house  in  Warren  County  several 
years  ago,  and  had  occasion  to  stop  there.  A  little  boy  ran  into 
the  room,  and  she  asked  his  name.  His  mother  said  :  “  My 

husband  named  him  Franklin  Fitts,  for  sense,  and  my  grandfather 
put  Oliver  in  for  Mr.  Fitts’  father.” 

He  wras  very  fond  of  politics,  but  was  always  of  feeble  health ; 
and  this  wras  the  reason  why  he  was  never  much  in  public  life. 
He  served  one  term  in  the  Legislature,  in  1842.  lie  was  very 
fond  of  reading,  and  had  collected  a  fine  library. 

No.  28 

Eveline  (Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  in  1817,  and  was 
educated  in  the  Plunket  school  at  Warrenton,  N.  C.,  and  died  of 
yellow  fever  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  in  1853.  She  was  married  to 
Thomas  Turnbull  Twitty,  who  was  a  wholesale  tobacconist  in 
the  city  of  New  Orleans  for  several  years,  and  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  honesty  and  generosity.  He  died  at  Farmville, 
Va.,  in  the  spring  of  1889. 


78 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  31 


Ann  (Henry3,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  in  Warren  County, 
N.  C.,  Feb.  3,  1820,  and  died  June,  1844. 

She  was  married,  in  April,  1842,  to  James  Lewis  Scoggins. 
He  was  from  Brunswick  County,  Va.;  born  March  23,  1810,  and 
died  May  29,  1876. 

No.  32 

Harriet  (Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born  May  6,  1823. 
She  was  married  on  the  6th  of  August,  1845,  to  William  Edward 
Thrower.  He  was  a  merchant  and  a  planter,  and  was  from 
Brunswick  County,  Ya.  Both  were  educated  at  Boydton,  Va. 
He  died  Feb.  14,  1853.  She  died  May  8,  1894,  at  Oakville, 
N.  C.  Malvern  Hill  Palmer  beautifully  and  appropriately 
writes  of  her  in  an  obituary  notice,  thus  : 

“  The  day  of  her  death  is  said  to  have  been  a  perfect 
one  of  a  balmy  spring,  when  budding  trees  and  blossoming 
flowers  and  singing  birds  were  emblems  of  the  beautiful  and 
tender  life  which  she  had  lived. 

“  Her  days  were  spent  in  the  neighborhood  in  which  she 
died  ;  where  she  was  known  by  all,  and  to  know  her  was  to 
respect,  honor,  love  and  revere  her.  She  was  blessed  with  all 
the  beautiful  attributes  which  attract  and  hold  the  affections. 
Generous  and  true,  her  warm  heart  sympathized  with  want,  dis¬ 
tress  and  suffering,  and  her  willing  hands  relieved  them. 

“  Possessed  of  a  deep  and  earnest  piety,  she  was  a  beautiful 
exemplar  of  the  Christian  religion,  which  she  leaned  upon  and 
trusted  while  living,  and  which  sustained  and  supported  her 
when  the  last  great  summons  came.  Such  a  life  and  death 
should  teach  the  most  skeptical  that  her  religion  was  a  glorious 
reality.  Beloved  by  all,  she  had  no  enemies,  and  it  is  no  wonder 
that  men,  women  and  children,  of  all  ages  and  sexes  and  colors, 
‘  grappled  her  to  their  hearts  with  hooks  of  steel.’ 

“  Her  noble  life,  and  the  beautiful  example  left,  are  the 
proudest  eulogies  that  could  be  pronounced  upon  her.  Her 
friends  and  relations,  especially  her  children  and  grandchildren, 
were  so  strongly  entwined  in  her  affection,  that  to  leave  them 
was  her  only  regret. 

“  She  had  fought  a  good  fight  and  had  kept  the  faith  : 
‘  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.’  ” 

No.  33 

Samuel  Alston  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts1  was 
born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  May  15,  1815.  He  received  a 


HARRIET  (Fitts8)  THROWER 
No.  32 


SAMUEL  A.  FITTS4 
No.  33 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


79 


fair  education  from  the  best  schools  in  North  Alabama,  having 
been  brought  in  his  infancy  to  this  State  by  his  parents,  who 
settled  at  St.  Stephens,  Washington  Co.,  and  afterwards  moved 
to  Clarke  County. 

On  the  29th  of  November,  1838,  he  was  married  to  Sarah 
Elizabeth  Alston,  a  daughter  of  Col.  William  Williams  Alston  and 
Mary  Haywood  (Burges)  Alston,  of  Clarke  County,  Ala.,  —  both 
originally  from  North  Carolina.  Soon  after  their  marriage,  in 
1838,  they  settled  in  Marengo  County,  Ala.,  near  Uniontown,  Perry 
Co.,  which  was  then  called  Woodville.  Here  they  built  their 
elegant  home,  “  Roseland,”  where  they  resided  the  remainder  of 
their  lives,  and  raised  a  large  family. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen,  by  the  death  of  his  father,  Samuel 
A.  Fitts  was  left  in  charge  of  his  widowed  mother  and  her  eight 
young  children.  Such  was  the  stability  of  his  character,  at  this 
early  age,  that  he  was  recommended  by  Judge  William  Craw¬ 
ford,  and  appointed  administrator  of  his  father’s  estate  by  the 
Probate  Court  of  Marengo,  and  was  able  to  give  the  required 
bond  of  $90,000  for  its  proper  management.  He  managed  this 
large  estate  with  such  skill  and  fidelity  for  nineteen  years,  that 
he  gained  the  lasting  gratitude  of  all  interested  therein,  and  the 
highest  encomiums  of  the  courts  of  the  county.  His  reports, 
made  annually,  from  1832  to  1851,  to  the  Probate  Court  of 
Marengo  County,  as  administrator  of  this  estate,  furnish  the 
highest  record  evidence  of  his  great  carefulness,  fine  ability  as  a 
manager  and  unvarying  fidelity  to  every  trust. 

He  was  a  very  successful  farmer,  and  accumulated  a  large 
estate  for  his  family,  consisting  of  lands,  negroes  and  stocks. 
After  his  slaves  were  emancipated  his  estate  wras  valued  at 
$50,000. 

For  many  years  previous  to  his  death  he  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  liberal  sup¬ 
porter  of  that  denomination.  In  all  of  his  life’s  varied  relations 
he  won  the  admiration  of  those  who  knew  him.  Pleasant  and 
genial  as  a  companion  ;  generous  and  sincere  as  a  friend ;  kind 
and  indulgent  as  a  husband  ;  affectionate  and  devoted  as  a 
father,  while  as  a  son  and  a  brother  he  stood  almost  without  a 
peer.  To  his  younger  brothers  and  sisters  he  occupied  the  place 
of  a  father,  when  he  himself  was  a  mere  boy ;  and  as  far  as  it 
was  possible  for  a  brother,  discharged  all  the  duties  of  a  father 
for  nineteen  years,  when  the  youngest  child  became  of  age. 

He  died  on  the  2nd  day  of  April,  1869.  at  his  home,  “  Rose- 
land,”  in  Marengo  County,  and  was  buried  at  Uniontown,  Ala., 
with  the  services  of  his  church,  and  with  Masonic  honors.  His 


80 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


wife  survived  him  a  little  more  than  ten  years,  and  died  on  the 
3rd  of  November,  1879. 

The  children  of  Samuel  Alston  Fitts'  and  Sarah  Elizabeth 
(Alston)  Fitts,  were  three  daughters  and  seven  sons. 

No.  35 

Sarah  Harris  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry')  Fitts4  was 
born  Feb,  26,  1819,  and  died  in  Marengo  County,  Ala.,  the  7th 
of  June,  1835. 

She  had  just  finished  her  education  in  the  city  of  Mobile 
and  returned  home.  “  In  a  lovely  form  she  united  intelligence 
and  a  benignity  of  temper  which  secured  a  friend  in  every 
acquaintance.” 

She  was  thought  to  be  strikingly  beautiful,  and  as  lovely  in 
disposition  as  in  person. 

No.  36 

Elizabeth  Faulcon  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry')  Fitts4 
was  born  at  St.  Stephens,  Ala.,  Jan.  23,  1821,  and  was  educated 
at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  she  now  resides.  She  was  married 
to  Sewall  Jones  Leach,  on  the  10th  of  October,  1839. 

Sewall  Jones  Leach  was  born  on  the  28th  of  November, 
1812,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  the  oldest  son  of 
Ephriam  Leach  and  Sophia  (Jones)  Leach.  When  he  was  eight 
years  old  his  father  moved  to  Owego,  N.  Y.  His  educational 
advantages  were  limited  ;  four  months  in  the  year  being  the 
longest  period  he  attended  school  in  any  twelve  months.  Yet 
such  was  his  energy  and  aptitude  for  learning  that  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  had  prepared  himself  as  a  teacher,  and  success¬ 
fully  and  satisfactorily  conducted  a  school  in  the  State  of  New 
York.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  made  a  violin,  a  very  nice 
instrument,  which  he  kept  for  thirty  years.  Upon  this  instru¬ 
ment  he  learned  to  perform.  At  this  early  age  he  exhibted  two 
predominant  characteristics  —  love  of  mechanics  and  music. 
He  studied  dentistry  at  Utica,  New  York,  and  in  1837,  having 
determined  to  locate  in  the  South,  he  went  to  Mobile,  Ala., 
where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  Dr. 
Palmer,  an  eminent  dentist  who  was  practicing  in  that  city. 
It  is  related  of  Dr.  Leach,  that  he  reached  Mobile  with  nine 
dollars,  and  that  he  increased  the  amount  to  nine  hundred 
within  a  year.  In  1838  he  removed  to  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  and 
was  for  two  or  three  years  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  with 
his  younger  brother,  Cyrus  Sidney  Leach.  After  his  marriage 
he  moved  to  Uniontown,  Ala.,  where  he  practiced  dentistry,  and 


SARAH  HARRIS  FITTS  4 
No.  35 


Dk.  sewall  j.  leach 

Husband  of  No.  36 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


81 


supervised  his  plantation  near  there,  in  Marengo  County.  He 
returned  to  Tuscaloosa,  in  1842,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  where  he  was  the  leading  dentist  for  many  years. 
In  1852,  Dr.  Leach  established,  on  the  banks  of  the  Warrior 
River,  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  an 
Iron  and  Plow  Factory,  under  the  name  of  Leach  &  Avery, 
which  was  subsequently  changed  to  Leach,  Avery  &  Co.,  and 
later,  Leach  &  Co.  This  enterprise  was  for  many  years  the 
leading  industry  of  the  city,  and  was  carried  on  until  1878,  when, 
on  account  of  failing  eye  sight  and  declining  health,  Dr.  Leach 
sold  his  interest  and  accepted  a  less  arduous  position  of  general 
superintendent  and  machinist  of  the  Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills, 
into  which  the  foundry  was  converted. 

In  the  foundry  were  made  all  kinds  of  hollow  ware,  gin 
segments,  grates,  mills  for  grinding  sugar  cane,  and  other  farm¬ 
ing  implements,  in  addition  to  plows ;  and  during  the  war  they 
manufactured  wool  hats  on  a  large  scale,  and  carried  on  a  large 
grist  and  flouring  mill.  This  foundry  was  totally  destroyed  by 
fire  twice ;  once  by  a  murderer  to  conceal  the  body  of  the  watch¬ 
man,  his  victim  ;  and  again  at  the  close  of  the  war  by  the 
Federal  army,  because  cannon  had  been  cast  there  for  the 
Confederates.  On  account  of  his  scientific  attainments  and 
practical  knowledge  of  machinery,  he  was  employed  to  purchase 
the  outfit  for  the  first  cotton  mill  built  in  Tuscaloosa,  in  1846, 
and  remained  several  months  in  Philadelphia  during  its  con¬ 
struction.  He  also  purchased  the  machinery  for  the  paper  mill, 
and  had  it  erected.  Dr.  Leach  was  a  Mason,  an  Odd  Fellow 
and  a  vestryman  of  Christ  (Episcopal)  Church  from  November, 
1845,  to  1874,  when  he  declined  to  serve  on  account  of  feeble 
health. 

He  was  universally  beloved  and  generally  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  useful  men  of  this  section  for  many  years.  He  was  of 
uniform  temperament  and  habitually  cheerful,  and  a  Christian 
gentleman  of  great  humility  ;  wholly  incorruptible  and  honest. 
Few  men  bear  so  blameless  and  so  honorable  a  name  among 
their  fellows.  He  was  a  fine  musician,  and  performed  upon 
several  instruments.  He  was  also  a  devoted  laborer,  neglecting 
nothing  that  could  insure  satisfaction,  and  equally  interested  in 
his  music  after  hours  of  labor.  In  both  relations  he  exhibited 
the  strongest  and  most  marked  characteristics,  performing  both, 
purely  and  simply,  for  the  love  of  them.  Lie  could  do  nothing 
except  in  the  most  thorough  and  satisfactory  manner,  and  his 
musical  accomplishments  attracted  to  his  hospitable  home  many 
desciples  of  the  “  divine  art.”  Among  these  were  Dr.  Barnard, 


12 


82 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


afterwards  President  of  Columbia  College,  New  York,  and  Dr. 
L.  C.  Garland,  late  the  venerable  Chancellor  of  the  Vanderbilt 
University,  who  was  never  so  happy  as  when  listening  to  or 
playing  with  his  musical  friend.  For  so  strong  a  man,  he  was 
singularly  gentle  and  winning  in  manner,  attracting  the  young 
and  old  alike  in  the  social  circle ;  and  among  the  cultivated 
young  ladies  of  the  city  it  was  deemed  a  compliment  to  have 
him  select  one  of  them  to  play  the  piano  accompaniment  to  his 
flute. 

Although  of  Northern  birth,  Dr.  Leach  was  a  man  of  strong 
Southern  feeling,  and  an  advocate  of  the  Confederate  cause. 
Two  of  his  sons  served  with  honor  as  Confederate  soldiers. 

After  more  than  a  year  of  feeble  health  and  partial  blind¬ 
ness,  during  which  time  he  was  tenderly  cared  for  by  his  wife, 
Dr.  Leach  died  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  on  the  6th  day 
of  August,  1885,  and  was  buried  in  Evergreen  Cemetery. 

The  children  of  Sewall  Jones  Leach  and  Elizabeth  Faulcon 
(Fitts1)  Leach  were  six  sons  and  five  daughters. 


No.  37 

Rebecca  Emily  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was 
born  in  Clarke  County,  Ala.,  on  Nov.  29th,  1822,  and  died  in 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  Feb.  2,  1838. 

Lovely  and  gentle  in  disposition,  she  was  much  beloved  by 
all  who  knew  her,  and  her  untimely  death  cast  a  deep  gloom 
over  all  her  acquaintances. 


No.  38 

Caroline  Medora  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  .Fitts4 
was  married  to  Col.  Josiah  J.  Pegues,  March  2,  1854,  in  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  Ala.  She  was  born  at  Jackson,  Clarke  Co.,  Dec.  28,  1824, 
and  brought  by  her  mother  to  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  in  1836,  where 
she  was  educated. 

Col.  Pegues  and  wife  resided  on  their  plantation,  in  Dallas, 
Ala.,  for  two  or  three  years,  and  then  moved  to  the  State  of 
Mississippi,  where  he  farmed  for  three  years,  and  afterwards 
returned  to  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  they  resided  for  many 
years. 

Col.  Josiah  J.  Pegues  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  July  19, 
1825,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Alabama  in  his  infancy. 


CAROLINE  MEDORA  (Fitts4)  PEGUES 
No.  38 


Col.  JOSIAH  JAMES  PEGUES 
Husband  of  No.  38 


Fitts  or  Filz  Family 


83 


His  father  was  wealthy,  and  the  son  inherited  a  large  plantation 
and  slaves  to  work  the  same.  After  his  marriage  he  owned  and 
managed  one  plantation  in  Dallas,  and  one  in  Marengo  County. 
He  was  a  successful  planter,  and  being  an  ardent  State’s  Rights 
advocate,  he  was  very  active  in  resisting  every  encroachment 
upon  the  rights  of  the  State  by  the  Federal  government.  At 
the  commencement  of  the  political  agitation  which  culminated 
in  the  civil  war,  he  was  an  ardent  advocate  for  Secession,  and 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  joined  the  “Warrier  Guards,” 
which  was  the  first  company  that  left  Tuscaloosa;  and,  as  a 
private  in  the  ranks,  participated  in  the  first  battle  of  Manassas. 
He  continued  in  the  Confederate  service  during  the  four  years 
of  the  war,  and  at  the  close  of  hostilities  acted  as  an  escort,  with 
his  regiment,  to  President  Davis,  on  his  retreat  from  Richmond, 
as  far  as  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  being  at  that  time  the  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  2nd  Alabama  Cavalry  Regiment. 

He  was  a  popular  officer  and  gallant  soldier.  A  typical 
Southern  gentleman  and  slave-owner,  whose  generosity,  humanity 
and  high  sense  of  justice,  as  a  class  went  so  far  to  elevate  the 
negro  from  barbarism,  and  to  adapt  him  to  the  Christian  civili¬ 
zation. 

During  the  war  he  sold  his  lands,  and  as  his  slaves  were 
emancipated  as  a  result  of  the  conflict,  he  was  left  at  the  close 
of  the  war  almost  without  means,  which  condition  he  accepted 
without  unmanly  complaints  or  regrets,  and  cheerfully  went  to 
work  to  support  his  family. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  great  lawlessness  prevailed  in  the 
county  of  Tuscaloosa,  the  acting  sheriff  being  unable  to  execute 
process  or  preserve  order.  The  sheriff  felt  his  inability,  and 
expressed  his  willingness  to  resign,  if  any  one  could  be  found 
who  was  able  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office.  The  position 
was  one  of  grave  responsibility  and  great  danger.  But  when 
petitioned  by  many  of  the  most  influential  citizens,  Col.  Pegues 
did  not  hesitate  to  accept  the  office  ;  and  by  his  energy,  coolness 
and  courage,  soon  subdued  the  lawless  and  restored  order. 

Col.  Pegues  was  a  zealous  member  of  Christ  Church,  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  a  vestryman  for  many  years,  and  senior  warden  in  1875. 

In  March,  1882,  Col.  Pegues  was  appointed  clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court  of  Tuscaloosa  County  by  the  Governor  of  the  State, 
and  in  1886  was  elected  to  the  same  office  by  the  people.  The 
duties  of  this  office  he  discharged  with  much  satisfaction  to  the 
bench,  bar  and  citizens  of  Tuscaloosa  until  August,  1892.  The 
children  of  Col.  Josiah  J.  Pegues  and  Caroline  Medora  (Fitts') 
Pegues,  were  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 


84 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  39 


John  Henry  (James  Harris3,  Oliver,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was 
born  in  Clarke  County,  Ala.,  Feb.  20,  1827.  He  was  graduated 
at  the  University  of  Alabama,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  in  1847, 
and  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  in  1850.  He  read  medicine  in  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  Ala.,  under  the  celebrated  Dr.  Jas.  Guild,  and  was  gradu¬ 
ated  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.,  in  1849.  He  owned  a  plantation  in  Marengo 
County,  Ala.,  and  slaves  to  cultivate  it,  from  the  profits  of  which 
he  derived  a  comfortable  support ;  but  preferred  to  practice  his 
profession,  and  located  in  the  State  of  Mississippi,  at  Shongalo, 
in  Carroll  County,  in  1850,  where  he  died,  June  21,  1851. 

Dr.  Fitts  never  married.  When  a  student,  at  the  University 
of  Alabama,  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was 
a  consistent  member  at  the  date  of  his  death. 

A  polite  and  accomplished  gentleman,  of  elevated  senti¬ 
ments  and  nobleness  of  action,  highly  skilled  in  his  profession, 
it  was  with  a  pardonable  pride  that  his  relatives  inscribed  upon 
his  tomb:  “Life  was  only  wanting  to  his  fame.”  He  was 
buried  at  Uniontown,  Ala.,  in  the  cemetery  which  had  been 
given  to  the  town  by  his  father,  and  in  which  his  father,  mother, 
two  sisters  and  a  brother  are  buried. 


No.  40 

William  Faulcon  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was 
born  in  Clarke  County,  Ala.,  near  Jackson,  Feb.  14,  1829.  He 
was  brought  by  his  mother  to  Tuscaloosa,  when  he  was  seven 
years  old,  where  he  was  educated,  attending  the  University  of 
Alabama  two  years.  He  read  medicine  under  Dr.  Jas.  Guild  in 
1848-49,  and  in  the  winter  of  1849-50  attended  lectures  at  the 
Medical  College  at  New  Orleans.  In  1851  he  was  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  by  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  In  1852  he  settled  in  Marengo  County,  Ala., 
near  his  plantation,  to  practice  his  profession,  and  in  a  few  years 
gained  the  reputation  of  being  a  skillful  physician.  He  married 
Jersey  Annie  Foster,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Charles  M.  Foster,  of 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  on  the  13th  of  October,  1857.  She  was  a 
highly  esteemed  and  lovable  woman.  She  died  Nov.  30, 
1894. 

Building  a  comfortable  and  nice  residence  on  his  plantation, 
Dr.  Fitts  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  the  super¬ 
vising  his  planting  interests  until  the  second  year  of  the  war 


JOHN  HENRY  FITTS,1  M.  D. 
No.  39 


WILLIAM  FAULCON  FITTS,4  M,  D. 
No.  40 


JERSEY  ANNIE  (Foster)  FITTS 
Wife  of  No.  40 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


85 


between  the  States.  In  the  spring  of  1862,  he  realized  that  the 
South  would  need  all  her  men  to  repel  the  threatened  invasion 
of  the  Federal  forces.  Although  surrounded  hy  all  the  comforts 
and  elegancies  of  life,  and  with  neither  military  ambition  nor 
political  aspirations,  he  left  his  loving  wife  and  little  children, 
and  joined  a  company  of  cavalry  which  Capt.  H.  S.  Whitfield 
was  then  forming  in  Northport,  Ala.,  determining  to  surrender 
everything  and  to  devote  his  entire  energy,  and  life,  if  necessary, 
to  achieve  the  independence  of  the  South.  This  company  was 
mustered  into  the  service  as  Company  G,  51st  Regiment  of 
Alabama  Cavalry,  and  was  placed  under  Col.  John  T.  Morgan, 
now  United  States  Senator  from  Alabama.  Dr.  Fitts  was  elected 
2nd  Lieutenant  and  was  soon  made  1st  Lieutenant  by  the  resig¬ 
nation  of  Captain  Whitfield. 

In  the  heavy  skirmishing  which  formed  the  prelude  to 
the  terrible  battle  between  the  forces  of  Gens.  Bragg  and  Rose- 
crantz,  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  Col.  Morgan’s  regiment  was 
operating  on  the  Jefferson  Turnpike,  near  Smyrna.  On  the 
27th  of  December,  1862,  it  became  necessary  to  charge  a  force 
of  the  enemy  in  order  to  check  their  advance  at  Stewart’s  Creek. 
In  obedience  to  the  order  of  Gen.  Morgan,  Lieut.  Fitts  led  the 
charge  down  the  turnpike  to  the  bridge  over  Stewart’s  Creek. 
Here  he  met  the  enemy  in  large  force  by  which  his  company 
was  checked,  and  afterwards  driven  back.  Lieut.  Fitts  rallied 
his  men  and  charged  again,  with  the  same  result.  Attempting 
to  rally  his  men  for  the  third  time,  being  some  distance  in 
advance,  waving  his  hat  over  his  head  and  shouting  :  “  Forward 
Company  G,”  he  was  shot  through  the  heart,  and  expired  in  a 
few  moments. 

Thus  fell  as  true  and  as  gallant  an  officer  as  ever  led 
a  charge.  “  Fame  never  descends  to  crown  the  memory  of 
a  subaltern  ;  but  she  will  bestow  her  honors  on  none  who 
have  more  beautifully  exemplified  the  courage  of  the  hero  and 
the  spirit  of  a  martyr.” 

The  major  of  the  United  States  regiment  who  had  ordered 
his  men  to  fire  upon  Lieut.  Fitts,  saying,  “  you  can  never  drive 
them  back  until  you  kill  that  officer,”  had  him  buried  where  he 
fell,  and  in  commemoration  of  his  gallantry  carved  his  name 
and  rank  on  a  poplar  board  and  placed  it  at  the  head  of  his 
grave. 

Mr.  Berryman  Ferguson,  Mr.  Alanson  Cannon  and  Mr. 
J.  Clement,  who  lived  in  the  neighborhood,  seeing  the  respect 
shown  to  his  remains  by  the  enemy,  had  the  body  of  Lieut.  Fitts 
disenterred  and  re-buried  in'  a  nice  walnut  coffin  in  a  country 


86 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


grave-yard,  some  five  miles  distant,  and  placed  over  his  grave 
the  board  upon  which  the  Federal  major  had  carved  his  rank. 
In  December,  1865,  his  remains  were  removed  to  Tuscaloosa, 
Ala.,  by  his  brother,  James  Harris,  and  buried  in  Evergreen 
Cemetery. 

Noble-hearted  man,  the  tears  of  thy  bereaved  and  mourning 
friends  shall  keep  thy  memory  green  ;  and  if  the  tributes  of  love 
which  rise  from  their  hearts  may  ascend  and  mingle  with  the 
“  parent  stream,”  they  will  hold  communion  with  thy  spirit 
forever. 


No.  41 

James  Harris  (James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was 
born  Oct.  12,  1830,  at  Jackson,  in  Clarke  County,  Ala.,  and  was 
carried  to  Marengo  County  in  1833,  and  to  Tuscaloosa  County 
in  1836,  by  his  mother,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since. 

The  degree  of  A.  B.  was  conferred  upon  him  in  July,  1849, 
by  the  University  of  Alabama.  He  taught  school  at  Foster’s 
Settlement,  in  Tuscaloosa  County,  in  1850-51,  and  in  the  city 
of  Tuscaloosa  in  1852,  where  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M. 
from  the  State  University.  At  the  spring  term  of  the  Circuit 
Court  of  Tuscaloosa  County,  in  1853,  Mr.  Fitts  was  licensed  to 
practice  law,  being  the  first  person  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that 
county  under  the  act  requiring  the  applicant  to  be  examined  in 
open  court. 

He  commenced  the  practice  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa  in 
1853 ;  was  elected  city  attorney  in  1854,  and  a  codification  of 
the  laws  of  the  city  were  made  by  him  that  year.  He  was 
married  on  the  2nd  day  of  May,  1855,  to  Mary  Elizabeth  Burges, 
daughter  of  JLovatt  Burges  and  Fannie  (Cox)  Burges  of  Avoy¬ 
elles  Parish,  La.,  at  their  home  on  Bayou  Huffpower,  by  a  Baptist 
minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Roberts,  who  used  the  marriage  ceremony  of 
the  Episcopal  church. 

His  wife,  Mary  Elizabeth  Burges,  was  born  April  1,  1837, 
in  Avoyelles  Parish,  La.;  was  educated  in  New  Orleans  and 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.;  and  baptized  at  the  latter  place,  April  27, 1867, 
in  Christ  Church. 

Mr.  Fitts  practiced  law  until  1861,  and  after  the  war  until 
1868,  during  which  time  he  was  a  member  of  the  following 
firms :  Martin  &  Fitts,  Whitfield  &  Fitts,  and  J.  H.  &  P.  A. 
Fitts.  These  partners  were  Col.  Lucien  Van  Buren  Martin, 
Hon.  N.  S.  Whitfield  and  the  Rev.  P.  A.  Fitts,  now  an  Episcopal 
minister.  The  firm  of  AVhitfield  &  Fitts  were  bank  attorneys, 


JAMES  HARRIS  FITTS  4 


MARY  E.  (Burges)  FITTS 
Wife  of  No.  41 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


87 


under  Mr.  John  Whiting,  Bank  Commissioner,  and  assisted  in 
winding  up  the  affairs  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  Alabama.  In 
connection  with  his  practice  in  1859-60,  Mr.  Fitts  bought  and 
sold  exchange  as  agent  of  Walsh,  Smith  &  Co.,  of  Mobile,  Ala., 
and  did  a  large  business. 

In  the  celebrated  case  of  the  State  vs.  Bryant  and 
Dobbins,  for  murder,  Mr.  Fitts  was  leading  counsel  for  the 
State.  Dr.  Bryant  was  convicted  and  sentenced  to  imprison¬ 
ment  for  life.  The  speeches  made  at  the  trial  were  published 
in  a  large  pamphlet  by  a  Mr.  Wood,  at  that  time  a  book¬ 
seller  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa.  The  case  had  a  wide-spread 
notoriety,  growing  out  of  the  fact  that  the  murderers  burned  the 
extensive  iron  factory  of  Leach  &  Avery  to  conceal  the  body  of 
their  victim,  Butler,  who  was  the  watchman  at  the  foundry.  In 
1863-64  Mr.  Fitts  was  elected,  by  the  Congress  of  the  Con¬ 
federacy,  the  Confederate  States  Depositary,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 
He  was  captured  at  the  wedding  of  his  niece,  Emily  Leach,  on 
the  3rd  of  April,  1865,  and  his  office,  sacked  by  Federal  soldiers, 
which  contained  $100,000  Confederate  money  and  two  millions 
of  vouchers. 

While  practicing  law  in  1865,  he  established  the  Banking 
House  of  J.  Id.  Fitts  &  Co.  This  was  the  first  Bank  established 
in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa  since  the  failure  of  the  State  bank,  in 
1837,  and  was  the  only  bank  in  the  city  until  1872.  The 
Bank  is  owned  by  him  and  his  children,  and  is  now  (1897) 
doing  its  full  share  of  business;  with  two  National  banks  in  the 
city. 

From  1865  to  1868  he  was,  by  appointment  of  the  Gover¬ 
nor,  ratified  by  the  Senate,  a  trustee  of  the  University  of  Alabama. 
The  close  of  the  war  left  the  University  encumbered  with  a  debt 
of  $30,000 ;  her  libraries,  cabinets  and  dormitories  in  ashes  ;  and 
such  was  the  condition  of  the  finances  of  the  State,  that  the 
interest  on  the  endowment  fund  could  not  be  collected  in  current 
funds.  Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  when  the  Board  of 
Trustees  elected  Mr.  Fitts  secretary  of  the  board,  fiscal  agent  of 
the  University  and  a  member  of  the  building  committee.  When 
the  radical  Republican  party  came  into  power,  the  government 
of  the  University  was  transferred  from  the  board  of  trustees  to 
a  board  of  regents.  Before  transferring  their  trust,  the  Board  of 
Trustees  passed  the  following  resolution  :  Resolved,  “  That  the 
thanks  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  University  of  Alabama  be 
and  are  hereby  returned  to  Jas.  H.  Fitts,  Esq.,  for  the  gratuitous 
services  which  he  has  with  commendable  public  spirit,  and 
with  a  praiseworthy  devotion  to  the  Alma  Mater,  of  which 


88  Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

he  is  an  honored  son,  rendered  in  the  rebuilding  of  the  institu¬ 
tion.” 

Signed  by  all  the  trustees,  to  wit : 

R.  M.  Patton,  Governor  and  ex-Officio,  President  of 
the  Board, 

Hon.  A.  J.  Walker,  Chief  Justice,  Supreme  Court  of 
Alabama, 

Hon.  W.  M.  Byrd,  Associate  Justice,  Supreme  Court  of 
Alabama, 

Hon.  T.  J.  Judge,  Associate  Justice,  Supreme  Court  of 
Alabama, 

Hon.  Porter  King,  Judge  of  Circuit  Court  of  Alabama, 
Hon.  M.  S.  Mudd,  Judge  of  Circuit  Court  of  Alabama, 
Col.  R.  Jemison,  Senator, 

Col.  F.  Bugbee, 

Hon.  W.  H.  Crenshaw,  Senator, 

Hon.  F.  Freeman, 

Hon.  J.  C.  Meadors, 

Dr.  Jno.  T.  Foster, 

Hon.  Willis  G.  Clark, 

J.  T.  Murfee,  Superintendent,  Architect  and  Assistant 
Secretary  (see  minutes  of  the  Board). 

“  In  the  History  of  Education  in  Alabama,”  published  by 
the  United  States  Bureau  of  Education,  in  1889,  on  page  97,  Mr. 
Fitts’  services  to  the  University  are  thus  acknowledged.  When 
the  contract  for  the  new  building  (Alva  Wood’s  Hall)  was  let  in 
the  latter  part  of  1886,  there  was  not  a  dollar  either  in  the 
treasury  of  the  State  or  in  that  of  the  University.  For  the  suc¬ 
cessful  completion  of  that  first  structure,  on  the  campus,  after 
the  war,  the  University  and  the  people  of  the  State  owe  a  lasting 
debt  of  gratitude  to  two  eminent  citizens,  one  of  whom  has  gone 
to  his  reward;  the  other  still  lives  to  honor  the  Alma  Mater 
that  nourished  him.  These  are  Robert  M.  Patton,  who  was  then 
Governor,  and  James  IP.  Fitts,  Escp,  a  banker  of  P’uscaloosa, 
who  was  at  that  time  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  chair¬ 
man  of  the  building  committee  and  fiscal  agent  of  the  University. 
The  Governor  pledged  his  personal  credit  and  the  credit  of  the 
State  that  no  contractor  or  other  creditor  of  the  University 
should  lose  by  any  default  of  the  State  to  make  due  payment  of 
all  just  claims  against  the  University.  Mr.  Fitts,  during  the 
eighteen  months  in  which  the  work  was  going  on  to  completion, 
used  all  the  resources  of  his  bank  to  maintain,  at  par,  in  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  the  State  certificate  of  indebtedness,  then  known  as  Patton 
certificates,  by  which  the  work  of  rebuilding  was  carried  on. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


89 


In  the  issue  of  the  Montgomery  Advertiser  of  Dec.  8,  1885, 
a  newspaper  published  at  the  capital  of  the  State,  will  be  found 
the  following  notice  of  Mr.  Fitts’  connection  with  the  University : 
“  During  the  seventeen  years  he  has  served  the  University,  he 
has  been  faithful,  painstaking  and  skillful,  and  he  has  given  his 
time,  money  and  credit  freely.  Indeed  it  would  not  be  over¬ 
stating  the  case  to  say  the  University  owes  more  to  him  for  its 
rebuilding,  reorganization  and  financial  prosperity  than  to  any 
man  living. 

Under  the  radical  regime,  Mr.  Fitts  declined  to  act  as  Treas¬ 
urer  of  the  University,  although  he  was  urged  to  do  so,  and  was 
offered  a  large  salary,  and  gave  as  his  reason  for  declining  that 
he  did  not  wish  to  be  in  a  position  to  witness  the  profligate 
waste  of  the  funds,  when  he  was  powerless  to  prevent  it.  When 
reorganized  in  1873,  he  accepted  the  Treasuryship,  and  he  is 
now,  and  has  been  for  the  last  twenty-six  years,  with  the  excep¬ 
tions  of  the  two  years  during  the  regency,  the  Treasurer  of  the 
University. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  alumni,  after  the  war,  the 
resident  alumni  of  Tuscaloosa  County  gave  them  a  banquet, 
in  which  Mr.  Fitts  took  an  active  part.  He  also  presided,  as 
master  of  ceremonies,  and  delivered  an  address  of  welcome.  In 
1886  he  delivered  the  alumni  oration,  in  which  he  urged  the 
enlargement  of  the  educational  fund,  which  is  for  the  education 
of  needy  young  men  by  loans  for  six  years,  at  the  rate  of  six 
per  cent,  interest. 

He  was  baptized  in  Christ  (Protestant  Episcopal)  Church, 
in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  April  19th,  1868,  by  Rev.  John  D.  Easter, 
and  confirmed  on  the  same  day  by  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer, 
bishop  of  the  diocese  of  Alabama.  He  was  elected  vestryman 
Sept.  30,  1868,  by  the  vestry,  and  re-elected  by  the  congregation 
March  29,  1869,  and  junior  warden  March  1,  1875,  and  senior 
warden,  Easter  Monday,  1876,  and  has  filled  that  position  con¬ 
tinuously  up  to  the  present  time,  1897.  For  the  last  twenty 
years  he  has  made  an  offering  every  Sunday,  whether  present  or 
not,  for  the  support  of  Christ’s  Church.  He  contributed  $500  to 
the  purchase  of  the  rectory,  which  cost  $4,000  in  1873,  and  in 
1882,  when  the  church  building  was  restored,  or  repaired  and 
enlarged  at  a  cost  of  $7,000,  he  paid  one-tenth  of  the  amount. 
He  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  diocese  of  Alabama  in  May,  1862, 
and  served  until  May,  1876.  And  upon  his  resignation  the  con¬ 
vention  passed  the  following  resolution  : 

“  Resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  are  due,  and 
are  hereby  tendered  Mr.  Jas.  H.  Fitts  for  the  faithful  and  efficient 


13 


90 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


manner  in  which,  for  five  years,  he  has  discharged  the  duties  of 
Treasurer  of  the  diocese.”  (See  Journal  of  Proceedings,  page  23.) 

For  many  years,  from  1871  to  1897,  he  was  one  of  the  lay 
delegates  from  Christ  Church  to  the  Council,  and  has  served  for 
many  years  as  one  of  the  three  trustees  of  the  Bishop’s  Fund  and 
is  now  a  Trustee  and  the  Treasurer  of  that  fund.  Mr.  Fitts  was 
a  lay  deputy  to  the  general  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
which  met  in  New  York  in  1874,  and  again  to  the  one  which 
assembled  in  Chicago  in  1886,  and  in  Minneapolis  in  1895. 
From  1870  to  1890  Mr.  Fitts’  principal  vocation  was  banking, 
as  president  of  the  bank  of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co.  During  this 
period  he  was  also  connected  with  and  assisted  in  organizing 
several  important  enterprises,  the  most  prominent  of  which  were 
the  “  Warrior  Insurance  Co.,”  of  which  he  was  secretary  and 
treasurer;  the  plow  factory  of  “Leach,  Avery  &  Co.;”  the  tan 
yard  and  shoe  factory  of  “Fitts,  Maxwell  &  Jasper;”  the  Tus¬ 
caloosa  Cotton  Mills  and  the  Tuscaloosa  Street  Car  Line  from  the 
depot  to  Lake  Lorraine. 

The  Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills  was  a  company  organized 
under  the  laws  of  the  State,  with  a  capital  of  $40,000,  the 
Presidency  of  which  Mr.  Fitts  accepted  in  1880,  when  its  assets 
were  only  $33,000.  For  eight  and  a  half  years  he,  as  President, 
devoted  much  of  his  time  to  the  general  management  of  this 
enterprise.  During  the  eight  and  a  half  years  Mr.  Fitts  was 
President,  the  Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills  paid,  as  dividends,  to  its 
stock  holders,  $41,000,  and  expended  in  improvements  and 
repairs  $22,000. 

On  the  night  of  the  3d  of  March,  1897,  the  Tuscaloosa 
Cotton  Mills  were  totally  destroyed  by  fire,  materially  effecting 
the  commercial  interest  of  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa  and  surround¬ 
ing  country,  and  was  a  serious  loss  to  some  four  hundred  em¬ 
ployes  and  dependents.  Shortly  after  the  destruction  of  the 
mills  by  fire,  the  following  letter  was  received  by  the  manage¬ 
ment  from  Messrs.  B.  Lowenstein  &  Bros.,  of  Memphis,  Tenn., 
which  illustrates  very  clearly  the  high  esteem  in  which  Mr.  Fitts 
was  held  as  a  manufacturer,  and  his  fidelity  as  a  business  man  : 

Memphis,  Tenn.,  March  5,  1897. 

Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills, 

Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

Gentlemen: — 

We  have  your  telegram  and  letter  stating  that  your  mill 
has  been  entirely  destroyed  by  fire.  We  wish  to  express  our 
sincere  regret  that  this  thing  should  have  happened,  but  we  hope 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


91 


you  were  fully  insured  and  will  in  the  near  future  start  up 
another  and  better  mill.  Our  past  relations  with  you  and  your 
senior,  Mr.  J.  PI.  Fitts,  have  been  of  an  exceedingly  pleasant 
nature.  We  have  dealt  with  you  for  years,  with  an  absolute 
reliance  upon  your  integrity  in  carrying  out  every  contract  as 
made,  and  have  not  been  disappointed.  We  regret  that  this  is 
so  seldom  the  case  as  to  be  worthy  of  comment,  and  it  is 
peculiarly  unfortunate  that  such  dealers  should  be  compelled,  by 
force  of  circumstances,  to  retire  from  the  trade.  Again  express¬ 
ing  the  hope  that  you  have  suffered  no  financial  loss  and  that 
you  will  soon  be  in  working  order  again,  we  are 

Yours  truly, 

B.  Lowenstein  &  Bros. 

The  Alabama  Banker’s  Association  was  organized  at  Bir¬ 
mingham,  Ala.,  in  the  year  1890,  and  Mr.  Fitts  took  an  active 
part  in  its  organization.  He  was  elected  President,  and  at  the 
first  annual  meeting,  held  at  Monte  Sano,  June,  1890,  in  con¬ 
nection  with  his  address,  read  a  paper  on  the  unjust  usury  law 
against  bankers,  advocating  a  change  of  the  legal  rate  of  interest 
of  the  State  from  8%  to  6%,  and  to  allow  a  conventional  rate  as 
high  as  12%.  The  address  was  well  received  and  favorably 
commented  upon  by  several  papers  of  the  State;  and  at  the  ses¬ 
sion  of  the  legislature  of  1892-93,  the  obnoxious  usury  law 
against  bankers  was  repealed. 

The  second  annual  convention  of  the  Alabama  Banker’s 
Association  was  held  at  Point  Clear,  Ala.,  in  June,  1891,  at 
which  meeting  Mr.  Fitts  read  a  paper  on  the  “  History  of  the 
State  Bank  and  its  Branches.”  In  regard  to  this  paper  the  Hon. 
J.  L.  M.  Curry,  minister  to  Spain,  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Peabody  fund,  wrote  Mr.  Fitts:  “You  have  done  the  State  a 
good  service  by  rescuing  from  oblivion  the  history  of  our  absurd 
and  mischievous  banking  system.”  The  Century  magazine,  in 
its  issue  for  January,  1892,  made  copious  extracts  from  this 
paper,  and  commented  on  them  approvingly. 

Mr.  Fitts  read  a  paper  on  the  “  Free  Coinage  of  Silver,”  at 
the  third  annual  meeting  of  the  Alabama  Bankers  Association, 
which  was  held  at  Montgomery  in  1892,  in  which  he  strongly 
opposed  free  coinage  until  an  international  ratio  between  gold 
and  silver  could  be  established,  England  and  France  uniting 
with  the  United  States. 

In  the  year  1860,  the  N.  E.  &  S.  W.  Alabama  II.  R.  Com¬ 
pany,  to  secure  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $4,300,000,  deeded  their 
road,  extending  from  Miridian,  Miss.,  to  its  junction  with  the 


92 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Wills’  Vally  road,  near  the  town  of  Gadsden,  Ala.,  to  J.  J. 
Ormond,  J.  H.  Fitts  and  John  Rob’n  McDaniel,  of  Va.,  as 
trustees,  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  deed.  A  short  time 
after  the  execution  of  the  deed,  Judge  Ormond  passed  away  and 
Mr.  Fitts,  who  was  then  a  young  man,  was  left  the  only  resident 
surviving  trustee  of  this  vast  sum.  This  great  trust  and  respon¬ 
sibility  was  executed  by  him  with  signal  ability  and  to  the  satis¬ 
faction  of  all  concerned. 

In  1896  Mr.  Fitts  was  elected  by  the  Council  of  the 
Episcopal  church  the  Treasurer  of  the  Bishop’s  Fund,  and  the 
able  and  faithful  manner  in  which  he  discharged  the  responsible 
duties  of  the  trust  may  be  seen  from  his  annual  reports,  pub¬ 
lished  in  the  journals  of  the  Council. 

In  1890  Mr.  Fitts  nominally  retired  from  the  active  man¬ 
agement  of  his  banking  and  manufacturing  interests,  more  in 
behalf  of  his  sons  and  sons-in-law,  than  from  any  lassitude  or 
waning  of  energies  that  come  with  advancing  years.  Still  in 
the  possession  of  physical  vigor,  and  with  mental  faculties 
unimpaired,  he  at  present  (1896),  in  addition  to  a  general  super¬ 
vision  of  the  business  now  in  charge  of  his  children,  has  directed 
his  thoughts  to  the  welfare  of  the  University  of  Alabama.  To 
adjust  its  wrongs,  to  silence  its  defamers,  to  bring  about  a  proper 
pride  in  the  Institution,  and  a  just  appreciation  among  Ala¬ 
bamians  of  its  grand  possibilities,  seemed  to  have  revived  that 
youthful  zeal  and  energy  which  characterized  the  success  of  his 
early  manhood.  A  nobler  work  never  engaged  the  thoughts 
and  energies  of  an  intelligent  mind.  His  ideas  with  regard  to 
its  great  destinies  and  importance  were  ever  in  accord  with  the 
progress  of  the  19th  century  civilization.  During  the  year  1896, 
the  condition  of  the  University  excited  unusual  interest  and 
unfavorable  criticism.  Its  defamers  and  the  discreditors  of  its 
usefulness  were  unreserved  in  their  utterances  and  indiscrimi¬ 
nate  in  their  abuse  and  fault-finding  with  everything  connected 
with  the  institution.  The  situation  was  indeed  alarming,  and 
the  gravest  fears  felt  for  its  future.  Under  sanction  of  com¬ 
promise  laws,  enacted  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  a  sacred 
trust  had  been  violated,  and  the  University  deprived  of  the 
princely  endowment  bequeathed  it  by  the  beneficence  of  the 
United  States  government.  Its  friends,  from  timidity,  super¬ 
induced  by  political  influence  and  want  of  accurate  knowledge 
of  its  history,  were  unequal  to  the  task  of  presenting  and 
defending  its  rights  before  a  predjudiced  public.  Being 
intimately  associated  with  the  University  as  student,  Trustee 
and  Treasurer  for  over  thirty  years,  and  possessed  of  a  deep 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


93 


interest  in  its  welfare,  Mr.  Fitts  was  peculiarly  equipped 
as  an  advocate  for  an  adjustment  of  its  equitable  claim  against 
the  State.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  of  Alumni  of  the  Uni¬ 
versity  of  Alabama,  in  July,  1896,  a  resolution  was  passed 
appointing  a  committee  of  nineteen  of  their  members,  of  which 
Mr.  Fitts  was  chairman,  to  present  this  claim  of  the  University 
to  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  with  an  earnest  appeal  for  its 
adjustment.  The  board  of  trustees,  co-operating  with  the 
Alumni,  appointed  a  committee  of  five  of  their  number  for  the 
same  purpose.  After  great  labor  and  painstaking  research  into 
the  archives  of  the  University,  Mr.  Fitts  prepared  this  appeal, 
embodying  a  history  of  the  University’s  wrongs,  and  a  strong 
and  comprehensive  presentation  of  the  arguments  in  favor  of 
the  equity  of  the  claim  and  its  speedy  adjustment.  It  was  read 
by  him  before  the  General  Assembly,  session  of  1896-97,  with 
the  following  title  :  “  An  appeal  from  the  Alumni  of  the  Uni¬ 

versity  of  Alabama  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  for  an  equita¬ 
ble  adjustment  of  the  claim  of  their  Alma  Mater  against  the 
State  of  Alabama.”  The  society  ordered  two  thousand  copies  of 
the  “  appeal  ”  printed.  It  was  well  received  and  created  an 
impression  throughout  the  State,  in  the  interest  of  the  Uni¬ 
versity,  that  had  not  been  experienced  for  years.  As  an  imme¬ 
diate  result,  a  joint  committee  of  the  Legislature  was  appointed 
to  “  visit  Tuscaloosa  and  investigate  the  University.”  The 
following  is  quoted  from  the  report  of  this  committee,  wherein 
Mr.  Fitts’  “appeal”  is  highly  complimented  : 

“  That  the  State  of  Alabama  has  not  been  true  to  its  trust 
with  reference  to  this  institution  is  a  matter  of  painful  history, 
and  it  is  high  time  that  its  shortcomings  in  the  administration 
of  the  most  sacred  obligation  should  be  rectified  by  its  citizens. 
The  State  has  received  the  full  benefit,  at  a  time  when  probably 
it  needed  it,  of  funds  and  property  which  rightfully  belonged  to 
its  ward,  and  common  honesty  as  well  as  the  dignity  of  our 
commonwealth  alike  demand  that  restitution  be  made. 

“This  matter  has  been  so  forcefully  presented  by  a  distin¬ 
guished  citizen  of  Tuscaloosa,  and  an  alumnus  of  the  University, 
Mr.  J.  H.  Fitts,  at  the  present  session  of  the  General  Assembly, 
that  the  committee  need  say  nothing  further,  except  to  indulge 
the  hope  that  the  bill  now  pending,  which  provides  simply  for 
restitution,  shall  receive  the  hearty  support  of  every  member  of 
both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  who  loves  his  State  and  has  a 
sincere  regard  for  the  welfare  of  its  children,  regardless  of  party 
predelection.” 

Mr.  Fitts  was  the  author  of  the  bill  here  referred  to  and 


94 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


which  was  introduced  by  Hon.  M.  L.  Stansel  of  Pickens  County. 
It  passed  the  House  of  Representatives  by  a  fair  majority,  51  to 
39,  but  the  State  administration  being  very  strongly  opposed  to 
the  measure,  succeeded  in  having  the  bill  reconsidered  and 
defeated.  This  hill  provided  for  the  adjustment  of  the  claim  of 
the  university,  by  the  State  acknowledging  an  indebtedness  of 
$2,000,000.  The  following  is  a  copy  : 

A  BILL 

TO  BE  ENTITLED  AN  ACT:  TO  ADJUST  THE  CLAIM  OF 
THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  ALABAMA  UPON  AN  EQUITA¬ 
BLE  BASIS,  BY  DECLARING  THE  ENDOWMENT; 
AND  TO  ENABLE  DESERVING  AND  INDI¬ 
GENT  STUDENTS  IN  THE  SEVERAL 
COUNTIES  OF  THE  STATE,  TO  OB¬ 
TAIN  AN  EDUCATION  AT  THAT 
INSTITUTION. 

Whereas,  The  University  of  Alabama  lost  $154,239.18  previous 

2  to  the  year  1836  by  the  relief  laws  and  re-sales  and  leases  of 

3  its  lands  ;  and  whereas,  previous  to  1846,  $108,962.00  of  the 

4  profits  of  the  State  Bank  were  made  by  the  use  of  University 

5  funds,  and  retained  by  the  State;  and  whereas,  in  1859-60, 

6  the  institution  was  converted  into  a  quasi-Military  school  and 

7  the  students  made  a  part  of  the  militia  of  the  State,  in  conse- 

8  quence  of  which  $300,000.00  worth  of  University  property 

9  was  destroyed  in  1865  ;  and,  whereas,  these  several  sums, 

10  bearing  interest  at  the  rate  of  five  per  cent.,  together  with 

11  the  present  endowment,  would  exceed  two  million  dollars. 

12  Now,  Therefore  : 

Sec.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Alabama , 

2  That  two  million  of  dollars,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  recog- 

3  nized  and  declared  to  be  the  amount  of  the  University  fund, 

4  for  the  permanent  security  of  which,  and  the  punctual  pay- 

5  ment  of  the  interest  thereon,  forever,  semi-annually,  at  the 

6  times  and  in  the  manner  now  provided  by  law,  at  the  rate 

7  of  three  per  cent,  per  annum,  the  faith  and  credit  of  the 

8  State  of  Alabama,  are  hereby  solemnly  pledged. 

Sec.  2.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  one-third  of  the  interest  of 

2  the  endowment  shall  be  annually  used  by  the  board  of 

3  trustees  in  furnishing  board,  books,  tuition,  fees  and  personal 

4  expenses  to  one  young  man  or  woman  from  each  county  in 

5  the  State,  who  shall  possess  a  good  moral  character,  and  be 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


95 


6  in  such  indigent  circumstances,  as  to  be  unable  to  obtain  a 

7  collegiate  education  without  assistance. 

Sec.  3.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  no  beneficiary  of  the  fund 

2  shall  receive  therefrom,  more  than  $300.00  per  annum,  and 

3  for  the  amount  so  received,  each  one  shall  execute  their  note 

4  payable  to  the  State  of  Alabama  six  years  after  date,  with 

5  interest  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent,  per  annum. 

Sec.  4.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  students  desiring  to  pro- 

2  cure  the  benefits  of  this  Act,  shall  make  application  to  the 

3  trustee  of  the  Congressional  District  in  which  they  reside, 

4  and  furnish  to  said  trustee  satisfactory  evidence  of  good, 

5  moral  character  and  inability  otherwise  to  obtain  a  collegiate 
G  education. 

Sec.  5.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  each  trustee  shall  give 

2  public  notice  of  the  time  and  place  in  each  county  in  his 

3  district,  when  the  applicants  or  candidates  for  the  benefits 

4  of  this  Act,  will  be  examined,  and  shall  give  a  like  notice  in 

5  each  and  every  said  county  whenever  a  vacancy  occurs  therein. 

Sec.  G.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  examinations  of 

2  candidates  for  the  benefits  of  the  provisions  of  this  Act  shall 

3  be  conducted  in  writing  on  examination  papers  furnished 

4  by  the  Faculty  of  the  University,  which  shall  be  forwarded 

5  to  each  trustee  at  his  request. 

Sec.  7.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  immediately  after  the 

2  examination  of  the  candidates,  the  trustees  of  the  District 

3  shall  return  to  the  faculty  the  examination  papers  with  the 

4  answers  of  the  candidates  without  giving  the  names  of  the 

5  candidates,  so  that  the  names  of  the  candidates  may  not  be 

6  known  to  the  faculty  until  after  the  award  is  made  by  said 

7  faculty  and  the  examination  papers  returned  to  the  trustee. 

Sec.  8.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  faculty  shall  not 

2  make  the  award  to  any  candidate,  who  in  his  examination 

3  makes  less  than  the  minimum  percentage  required  for  the 

4  class  he  desires  to  enter ;  and  in  case  of  two  or  more  appli- 

5  cants  from  the  same  county  the  preference  or  award  is,  in  all 
G  cases,  to  be  given  to  the  one  found  best  prepared,  by  the 
7  faculty,  as  shown  by  the  examination  papers. 

Sec.  9.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  section  1071  of  the  Code 
2  he,  and  the  same  is,  hereby  repealed. 

The  hill  was  defeated  by  the  aid  of  a  compromise  measure, 
by  which  the  funds  of  the  University  was  increased  from  $24,000 
per  annum  to  $34,000  for  the  years  1898  and  1899.  Another 
fruit  of  this  labor  was  the  passage  of  a  law  for  three  Commis- 


96 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


sioners  to  be  appointed  to  enquire  into  and  report  upon  the  claim 
of  the  University  against  the  State. 

No.  42 

Susan  Virginia  (James  Harris3,  Oliver,  Henry1),  Fitts'1 
was  born  Oct.  13,  1832,  in  Clark  County,  and  was  taken  to 
Tuskaloosa,  Ala.,  by  her  mother  when  she  was  four  years  old, 
where  she  was  educated.  She  was  baptized  March  16,  1870,  in 
Christ’s  (Episcopal)  Church  and  confirmed  by  Bishop  Wilmer. 
She  was  married  to  Lucien  Van  Buren  Martin  Oct.  16,  1850. 

Col.  L.  V.  B.  Martin  was  born  in  Belleview,  Franklin 
County,  Ala.,  on  March  31,  1829,  and  was  the  son  of  Judge 
Peter  Martin,  and  a  nephew  of  Governor  J.  L.  Martin.  When 
he  was  quite  small  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Tuscaloosa, 
Ala.,  where  he  was  educated.  The  degree  of  A.  B.  was  conferred 
upon  him  in  1849,  and  that  of  A.M.  in  1852,  by  the  University 
of  Alabama.  Fie  read  law  in  his  father’s  office,  and  was  admit¬ 
ted  to  the  bar  in  1852.  In  1856  he  was  elected  solicitor  of  the 
third  judicial  district  by  the  legislature  of  Alabama,  which 
office  he  held  until  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war.  He 
was  a  planter,  and  supervised  his  cotton  plantation  when  he  was 
practicing  law,  both  before  and  after  the  war. 

In  1867  President  Johnson  appointed  Col.  Martin  U.  S. 
District  Attorney  for  the  southern  district  of  Alabama.  In  this 
office  he  had  no  opportunity  to  display  his  talents,  because  his 
appointment  was  against  the  wishes  of  the  Presiding  judge, 
Richard  Busteed,  who  threw  every  obstacle  in  the  way  of  his 
success,  and  upon  all  occasions  treated  him  with  great  indignity 
Finally  the  conduct  of  Judge  Busteed  towards  him  was  so  over¬ 
bearing  and  insulting  that  he  was  attacked  and  shot  down  in 
the  street  at  Mobile  by  Col.  Martin.  The  wound,  though  serious, 
did  not  prove  fatal,  and  on  his  recovery,  Judge  Busteed  used 
every  means  in  his  power  to  have  Col.  Martin  arrested  and  tried 
by  a  military  commission  for  “Assault  with  intent  to  Murder,” 
which  at  that  time  (1863)  was  equivalent  to  “death  without 
benefit  of  clergy.”  The  case  was  tried  by  the  civil  tribunal,  and 
such  were  the  mitigating  circumstances  that  only  a  small  fine 
was  imposed  upon  Col.  Martin. 

A  Democratic  political  paper,  “The  Tuscaloosa  Observer,” 
published  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  was  under  the  editorial  manage¬ 
ment  of  Col.  Martin,  at  the  time  he  was  practicing  law,  and  he 
proved  himself  a  fluent  and  forcible  writer. 

He  died  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  March  22,  1873,  of  con¬ 
sumption,  and  was  buried  in  Evergreen  Cemetery. 


SUSAN  VIRGINIA  FITTS  4 
No.  42 


Col.  LUC1EN  V.  B.  MARTIN 
Husband  of  No.  42 


a 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


97 


One  of  the  city  newspapers,  politically  inimical  to  him,  in 
noticing  his  death  took  occasion  to  say: 

“  He  drew  about  him  a  host  of  warm  personal  friends.  He 
had  his  enemies  too,  otherwise  we  could  not  say  of  him:  ‘  This 
was  a  man.’  ” 

No.  46 

Edward  Freeman4  Comegys  was  born  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala., 
Jan.  13,  1841.  After  receiving  his  preparatory  education  he 
entered  the  State  University  in  1856,  graduating  from  that 
institution  in  1859  with  the  degree  of  A.B..  He  taught  school 
until  the  war  broke  out,  when  he  entered  as  a  private  the  first 
company  that  left  Tuscaloosa,  the  “Warrior  Guards.”  He  was 
in  the  service  four  years,  during  which  time  he  was  present 
in  every  engagement  in  which  his  regiment  took  part.  He 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  43d  regiment  of 
Alabama  volunteers. 

As  a  testimonial  to  his  gallantry  and  worth  as  a  soldier  we 
quote  the  following  letter  from  his  commanding  officer  to  the 
father  of  Lieutenant  Comegys: 

Eufaula,  Ala.,  Sept.  27,  1863. 

E.  F.  Comegys,  Esq., 

Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

Dear  Sir  : — 

I  am  very  happy  to  be  able  to  inform  you  that  your  gallant 
son  came  out  safely  through  the  terrible  battle  of  Chicamauga. 
Our  command  went  into  the  fight,  Sunday  evening,  and  we  had 
the  gratification  of  dislodging  the  enemy  from  his  strongly 
fortified  position  in  the  center.  I  received  a  painful  wound  in 
the  shoulder,  before  the  fight  terminated,  and  retired  to  the  rear, 
leaving  “  Ed  ”  to  command  the  company. 

Allow  me  to  assure  you,  sir,  that  his  conspicuous  bravery 
was  observed  by  all,  and  I  hope  he  will  be  spared  to  you  and  to 
his  country,  to  enjoy  the  honor  he  has  so  nobly  earned.  The 
contest  was  very  sanguinary,  and  he  stood  all  the  time  in  the 
midst  of  the  hail-storm  of  death.  Knowing  his  inconvenience 
of  writing,  and  your  anxiety  about  him,  I  availed  myself  of  this, 
my  first  chance,  to  advise  you  of  his  safety.  I  am  unable  to 
give  you  any  news  from  the  enemy,  later  than  you  will  have 
heard.  Excuse  inaccuracies  and  poor  writing,  as  I  am  suffering 
quite  severely  with  my  wound. 

Very  respectfully, 

J.  A.  Sylvester, 

Capt.  Co.  I,  43rd  Ala.  Reg’t. 


14 


98 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


He  was  a  dashing  and  gallant  young  officer  of  the  “  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia,”  and  was  in  all  the  engagements  of  the 
campaign  of  1864.  The  following  is  the  order  promoting  him 
to  captain  of  his  company. 


Headquarters  Gracie’s  Brigade, 

July  9,  1864. 


II.  1st  Lieut.  E.  F.  Comegys,  Co.  I,  43rd  Ala.  Reg’t,  is 
hereby  promoted  to  the  Captaincy  of  said  company,  to  fill  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by*  the  death  of  Capt.  J.  A.  Sylvester,  to  take 
rank  from  July  1st,  1864. 

He  will  be  obeyed  and  respected  as  such. 


By  order  of 


Brig.  Gen’l.  Gracie. 


H.  E.  Jones,  A.  A.  G. 

After  the  war  he  again  engaged  in  teaching  as  a  professor 
in  the  “Blue  College,”  at  Mobile,  Ala.  He  remained  there  two 
years,  when  he  removed  to  North  Alabama,  where  he  married 
Miss  Susan  Harris,  July  15,  1868. 

From  1870  to  1872  he  was  one  of  the  Regents  of  the  Uni¬ 
versity  of  Alabama,  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  reorganiz¬ 
ing  that  institution. 

He  located  at  Denton,  Texas,  in  1884,  and  remained  there 
seven  years,  in  charge  of  the  public  schools,  going  to  Gainsville 
in  1891.  He  is  now  residing  in  Gainsville,  Texas,  and  is  super¬ 
intendent  of  the  public  schools,  where  he  has  made  a  high 
character  as  a  teacher.  Of  his  work  here,  the  discipline  and 
progress  of  the  schools  under  his  charge  are  the  best  testimony. 
From  the  “  Daily  Hyperion,'”  of  Gainesville,  Texas,  of  the  4th 
of  May,  1894,  we  have  the  following  notices  of  him. 


“  A  Good  Record  ” 


“  The  school  board  has  again  elected  Prof.  E.  F.  Comegys 
superintendent  of  public  schools.  The  vote  was  unanimous. 
This  is  a  record  no  one  has  ever  before  made  in  Gainsville.  Four 
years  in  succession  and  no  opposition  speaks  better  for  him  than 
anything  we  could  say.  In  this  age  it  is  certainly  to  any  man’s 
credit  to  have  such  a  record.  If  any  one  wants  to  find  out  the 
reason  let  him  visit  the  schools  and  watch  their  workings  and 
he  will  find  it.  Prof.  Comegys  has  gained  his  popularity  by 
attending  closely  to  business  instead  of  electioneering  among 
the  people.  His  work  is  here  and  we  believe  we  have  the  best 
schools  in  the  State.” 


I 


EDWARD  FREEMAN4 COM EG VS 
No.  46 


SUSAN  (Fitts4)  SAWYER 
No.  47 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


99 


Another  extract  is  headed:  “Capt.  E.  F.  Comegys,  Super¬ 
intendent  of  Gainsville  Public  Schools,”  and  is  as  follows: 
“  The  public  schools  are  the  pride  of  the  city,  and  will  compare 
favorably  with  any  city  of  her  size  in  the  State.  Thoroughness 
and  discipline  are  maintained  in  every  department.  For  the 
excellence  of  the  public  schools  great  credit  is  due  the  superin¬ 
tendent,  Capt.  E.  F.  Comegys,  who  has  made  education  his  life 
work  and  is  enthusiastic  in  securing  better  public  schools.” 

No.  49 

Martha  Aylette  (John3,  Oliver3,  Henry1)  Fitts4,  who  was 
also  called  “  Pattie,”  was  married  to  Dr.  La  Fayette  Guild  in 
1851,  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  where  her  father  resided.  She  was 

born - 1831.  She  survives  her  husband,  and  resides  in 

Washington  City,  D.  C.,  where  she  holds  a  position  as  clerk  in 
one  of  the  U.  S.  Government  departments. 

The  first  ten  years  of  her  married  life  was  spent  in  the  U.  S. 
Army,  of  which  her  husband  was  then  an  officer,  oftentimes  on 
the  Western  frontier,  far  removed  from  civilization.  After  the 
death  of  her  husband  in  1870,  she  was  left  almost  alone  with 
no  one  upon  whom  she  was  willing  to  depend  for  support. 
With  a  commendable  resolution,  not  to  be  dependent,  she  sought 
employment  at  Washington  City.  Here,  through  the  influence 
of  the  old  army  friends  of  her  husband,  she  secured  the  situation 
which  has  enabled  her  to  earn  a  living  to  the  present  time. 
She  has  held  her  clerkship  through  the  vicissitudes  of  different 
administrations,  when  frequent  changes  were  made. 

Dr.  Lafayette  Guild  was  the  second  son  of  Dr.  James  Guild, 
of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  and  was  born  in  that  city  in  1825.  He 
received  a  thorough  academic  education  at  the  University  of 
Alabama,  graduating  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1845,  and 
with  that  of  A.  M.  in  1848,  in  which  year  he  also  received  the 
degree  of  M.  D.  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadel¬ 
phia,  Pa. 

In  the  spring  of  1849  he  entered  the  U.  S.  Army  as  assistant 
surgeon.  Before  entering  the  army  he  was  for  a  time  a  private 
pupil  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Phil.  Aylette,  who  was  an  uncle  of 
his  wife. 

After  serving  for  a  number  of  years  at  various  posts,  both 
on  the  frontier  and  within  the  States,  on  the  21st  of  May,  1861, 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Surgeon.  At  this  time  he  was 
attached  to  the  famous  2nd  U.  S.  Cavalry,  of  which  regiment 
Albert  Sidney  Johnston  was  colonel,  Rob’t  E.  Lee  the  lieutenant- 


100 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


colonel,  W.  G.  Hardee  and  Geo.  H.  Thomas  the  Majors.  Earl 
Van  Dorn  and  J.  E.  B.  Stewart  and  Fitzhugh  Lee  and  other 
officers  who  became  renowned  commanders  in  the  Civil  war, 
were  also  attached  to  this  regiment.  As  to  the  position  he 
attained  in  the  “  Old  Army,”  the  following  letter  from  the  War 
Department  at  Washington  will  show  how  highly  he  was 
appreciated  : 

“War  Department,  Surgeon  General’s  Office, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Dec.  3,  1870. 

Sir:  —  Referring  to  your  communication  of  the  27th  ult., 
I  enclose  a  history  of  the  services  of  Doctor  La  Fayette  Guild, 
while  a  member  of  the  Medical  Staff  of  the  army,  as  shown  upon 
the  record  of  this  office.  His  standing  in  the  corps,  profession¬ 
ally  and  in  other  respects,  was  very  high.” 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

By  order  of  the  Surgeon  General. 

C.  H.  Crane, 

Ass’t  Surgeon  General,  U.  S.  A. 

Upon  the  first  demonstration  of  hostilities  of  the  general 
government  against  his  native  State  and  the  South,  he  resigned 
his  commission  and  offered  his  services  to  the  Confederate  States. 
He  was  immediately  appointed  “inspector  of  hospitals.”  He 
served  in  this  important  and  responsible  position  until  June, 
1862.  After  the  battle  of  “Seven  Pines,”  by  request  of  Gen. 
Lee,  the  commanding  general,  he  was  appointed  “  Medical 
Director  and  Chief  Surgeon  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia.” 
In  fulfilling  the  responsibilities  of  that  office,  however,  he  con¬ 
tracted  a  disease  which  continued  to  develop  its  fatal  features 
until  death  at  last  released  him  from  his  sufferings.  As  a  staff 
officer  he  at  once  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  great 
commander;  and  how  far  this  esteem  and  attachment  was 
returned,  the  following  farewell  letter  from  Dr.  Guild  to  General 
Lee  will  fully  express  : 

City  Point,  Va.,  May  5,  1865. 

“  General : — We  sail  to-morrow  from  Fort  Monroe  to  Mobile, 
Ala.,  and  before  leaving  Virginia  (probably  forever)  I  cannot 
withhold  an  expression  of  my  warm  and  devoted  attachment  to 
you,  both  personally  and  officially.  Under  your  guidance  the 
true  and  good  men  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  were  ever 
ready  to  follow,  whether  our  march  led  to  victory  or  defeat ;  so 
well  assured  were  we  all  that  virtue,  honor  and  justice,  with  a 
Christian’s  fear  of  an  Almighty  God,  were  the  principles  that 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


101 


actuated  and  inspired  your  conduct.  To  belong  to  General 
Lee’s  defeated  army  is  now  the  proudest  boast  of  a  Confederate 
soldier. 

“  Though  overwhelmed  by  superior  numbers  and  forced  to 
surrender,  we  yet  preserve  our  honor  as  men  and  soldiers.  May 
the  calamity  which  has  befallen  us  be  sanctified  to  the  good  of 
us  all,  and  may  the  richest  of  blessings  of  heaven  be  vouchsafed 
to  our  noble  commander-in-chief.” 

Your  obedient  servant, 

L.  Guild,  Medical  Director,  A.  N.  Va. 

The  last  letter  ever  written  by  Dr.  Guild  was  in  answer  to 
an  inquiry  of  the  attending  physician  regarding  the  character 
of  the  disease  under  which  General  Lee  was  suffering. 

After  the  termination  of  the  war,  Dr.  Guild  established 
himself  in  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profes¬ 
sion.  Shortly  after,  the  yellow  fever  made  its  appearance  in  the 
city,  and  spread  so  extensively  that  it  became  necessary  to 
establish  a  quarentine  or  lazaretto,  in  order  to  intercept  the  pro¬ 
gress  of  the  disease.  To  the  charge  of  that  institution  he  was 
at  once  elected,  and  at  this,  as  at  all  other  posts  of  duty,  he 
labored  with  great  assiduity  and  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned. 

In  18^9  he  removed  to  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  where  his 
scientific  abilities  were  immediately  recognized  and  appreciated, 
and  he  was  elected  “  Visiting  Surgeon  of  the  city  and  county 
hospital,”  which  position  he  occupied  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  died  of  rheumatism  of  the  heart,  in  that  city,  on  July  4, 
1870.  His  remains  were  accompanied  by  his  devoted  wife, 
alone,  from  California  to  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  amid  the 
scenes  of  his  early  life  and  with  kindred  ashes  they  now  repose 
in  Evergreen  Cemetery. 

The  following  “  tribute”  was  paid  to  him  by  the  board  of 
health  of  the  city  of  San  Francisco: 

“To  the  Memory  of  Dr.  La  Fayette  Guild,  by  the  Board 
of  Health  of  San  Francisco:” 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  remove  from 
our  midst,  and  a  sphere  of  usefulness,  Dr.  La  Fayette  Guild,  an 
amiable  gentleman,  accomplished  physician  and  surgeon,  and 
valuable  citizen,  and  •* 

Whereas,  It  is  highly  right  and  proper  that  the  board  of 
health  should,  in  fitting  terms,  express  their  high  appreciation 
of  his  worth;  therefore  be  it 


102 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Resolved,  That  by  the  death  of  Dr.  La  Fayette  Guild,  the 
board  of  health  are  profoundly  impressed  with  a  loss  to  ourselves 
and  to  the  community,  of  the  services  of  one  in  every  respect 
eminent  and  estimable. 

Resolved,  That  the  heartfelt  condolence  of  the  board  of 
health  follow  his  afflicted  family  and  friends  to  their  far  home 
in  the  south,  where,  well-known  and  beloved,  his  death  will 
cause  the  deepest  sorrow. 

Resolved,  That  this  tribute  to  his  memory,  this  sincerely 
felt,  though  inadequate  commemoration  of  the  many  excellent 
qualities  of  his  mind  and  heart,  be  spread  on  the  minutes  of  the 
board,  be  published  in  the  daily  papers  of  San  Francisco,  and  a 
copy  of  the  same  be  forwarded  to  his  family  and  friends  in 
Alabama. 

Present — His  Honor,  Thomas  H.  Shelby,  Mayor  and 
ex-officio  President  of  the  Board  of  Health; 
Gustavus  Holland,  M.D., 

H.  H.  Hubbard,  M.D., 

H.  H.  Toland,  M.D., 

J.  Campbell  Shorb,  M.D.; 

Attest:  William  V.  Wells,  Clerk,  Board  of  Health. 

Dr.  Newton,  of  Augusta,  Ga.,  an  old  army  friend  and 
associate  of  Dr.  Guild,  ends  a  sketch  of  his  life,  published  in  the 
Banner  of  the  South,  in  1871,  with  the  following  words:  “In 
the  very  brief  sketch  of  the  life  and  services  of  one  so  endeared 
to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia, 
I  have  given  but  feeble  expression  of  my  own  high  appreciation 
of  the  many  excellent  qualities  of  his  noble  character,  No 
language  could  describe  him  to  those  who  knew  him  not,  while 
those  who  enjoyed  his  intimate  acquaintance  would  be  pained 
by  the  futility  of  the  effort.  You  would  have  me  pencil  one 
who  possessed  all  the  elements  of  a  chivalric  manhood,  all  the 
tenderness  of  a  sister  of  charity,  all  the  sympathy  of  a  brotherly 
love,  all  the  affection  of  a  devoted  husband,  all  the  virtues  of 
the  Christian  gentleman.” 

No.  50 

Oliver  Henry  (John3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was  born  in 
the  year  1834,  near  Uniontown,  Ala.  At  the  age  of  18  he  went 
to  the  State  of  Texas,  which  had  been  admitted  into  the  Union 
a  few  years  before,  and  to  which  many  adventurous  spirits  were 
then  attracted.  He  had  many  adventures  in  this  wild  country. 
As  a  member  of  the  “  Texas  Rangers  ”  he  was  with  them,  fight¬ 
ing  the  Indians  for  several  years. 


Capt.  WILLIAM  A.  FITTS 4 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


103 


In  1861,  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  between  the 
States,  he  joined  the  6th  Cavalry  Regiment  of  Texas,  under  Col. 
L.  S.  Ross,  who  was  made  brigadier-general  in  1862.  Mr.  Fitts 
was  in  Ross’  brigade,  under  General  Price,  and  was  with  him 
in  his  memorable  campaign  into  Missouri.  At  the  battle  of 
Corinth,  Mr.  Fitts  was  severely  wounded,  and  was  afterwards 
promoted  and  sent  to  Enterprise,  Miss.,  on  post  duty. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  Confederates  he  went  to  Louisi¬ 
ana,  and  managed  a  large  cotton  plantation  during  two  years 
for  Col.  Gardner.  He  removed  to  Tuscaloosa  County,  Ala.,  in 
1867,  and  farmed  near  Northport  for  three  years.  In  1871,  he 
was  sheriff  of  Tuscaloosa  County.  He  afterwards  returned  to 
his  brother’s  plantation,  near  Westpoint,  Miss.,  where  he  farmed 
for  several  years.  On  account  of  his  declining  health,  and  with 
a  view  of  setting  out  an  orange  grove,  he  went  to  Florida  in 
1883,  where  he  remained  on  a  small  garden  farm  until  the 
spring  of  1890,  when  he  returned  to  Alabama,  entirely  broken 
down  in  health,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his  brother,  Capt.  Wm. 
A.  Fitts,  in  Birmingham,  Ala.,  on  the  30th  of  July,  1890.  He 
never  married. 


No.  51 

William  Aylette  (John3,  Oliver3,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was 
born  near  Uniontown,  Ala.,  on  Jan.  12,  1837.  When  about 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  lost  his  mother,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  commenced  work  at  a  saw  mill  for  the  “  Shelby  Lime  Co,” 
and  was  soon  placed  in  charge  of  the  same.  In  about  a  year 
after  he  was  sent  to  Selma,  Ala.,  by  this  company  and  placed  in 
charge  of  their  ware-house  and  shipping  business,  where  he 
remained  for  three  years.  While  clerking  here  he  saved  some 
$1,200.  Reserving  $200  with  which  to  pay  his  expenses,  while 
attending  medical  lectures  in  New  York,  he  generously  sent  the 
$1,000  to  a  younger  brother  with  this  remark:  “  Take  it  Phil 
and  use  it  to  the  best  advantage,  for  yourself  and  our  little  sis¬ 
ters.”  We  do  not  find  many  such  brothers  now.  It  detracts 
nothing  from  the  generosity  of  this  act  that  only  a  portion  of 
the  money  was  used  by  the  younger  brother  to  assist  in  the  sup¬ 
port  of  their  sisters  during  the  war,  and  the  balance  returned  to 
Capt.  Fitts. 

He  was  studying  medicine  at  New  York  City,  in  the  school 
of  his  uncle,  Dr.  Philip  Aylette,  in  1861,  when  the  war  began. 
Immediately  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumpter  he  returned  to  Selma 
and  joined  the  “Jeff.  Davis  Artilery  ”  as  a  private.  Five 
months  afterwards  the  company  was  reorganized  and  enlarged 


104 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


and  Mr.  Fitts  was  elected  1st  lieutenant.  He  served  as  lieuten¬ 
ant  in  this  company  for  one  year,  and  resigning  he  returned  to 
Alabama  and  raised  a  company  of  which  he  was  elected  captain. 
Capt.  Fitts’  company  was  mustered  into  service  as  Co.  I  of  the 
43d  Reg’t  of  Ala.  Volunteers,  and  was  attached  to  Grade’s 
brigade,  under  Gen.  Bragg.  He  served  as  captain  of  this  com¬ 
pany  through  the  western  campaign  and  until  a  short  time 
before  the  surrender,  when  on  account  of  feeble  health  he  was 
assigned  to  post  duty  in  the  commissary  department  at  Colum¬ 
bus,  Miss. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  Capt.  Fitts  leased  a  planta¬ 
tion  in  Mississippi  containing  1,500  acres,  purchased  the  stock 
and  tools  on  time,  and  commenced  farming  in  1866  on  a  large 
scale.  This  venture  proved  highly  successful  as  he  made  large 
crops  of  cotton  and  corn  and  sold  the  cotton  at  a  good  price, 
making  on  his  years’  work  the  amount  of  $15,000.  He  farmed 
in  Tuscaloosa  County,  Ala.,  the  next  year  and  then  returned  to 
Mississippi.  Here,  at  West  Point,  he  again  engaged  in  planting 
and  in  merchandising  on  a  large  scale  which  he  continued  with 
varying  success  for  eighteen  years. 

The  firm  of  Shotwell  &  Fitts,  of  which  he  was  the  junior 
partner,  made  annual  sales  amounting  to  $100,000,  and  shipped 
some  years  as  many  as  8,000  bales  of  cotton  to  Mobile,  Ala. 
Capt.  Fitts  was,  during  a  portion  of  this  time,  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Allen,  West  &  Co.,  a  large  commission  house  doing 
business  in  Mobile,  Ala.  The  firm  of  Shotwell  &  Fitts  did  an 
extensive  credit  business,  carrying  many  of  their  customers,  who 
were  mostly  planters,  from  year  to  year  until  1885,  when  from 
inability  to  make  sufficient  collections  they  were  unable  to  meet 
their  obligations,  and  had  to  turn  over  their  entire  assets  to 
their  creditors.  In  1886  Capt.  Fitts  had  to  begin  making  his 
fortune  again.  He  commenced  by  securing  options  on  and 
trading  in  wild  lands.  At  this  he  also  proved  a  success,  at  one 
time  purchasing  from  the  State  of  Mississippi  48,000  acres, 
which  he  exchanged  for  property  in  the  north  and  west. 

In  1887  he  moved  to  Birmingham,  Ala.,  where  he  dealt 
largely  in  real  estate  and  working  quarries  until  1891,  when  he 
removed  to  Orlando,  Fla.,  where  he  now  resides,  dealing  in  real 
estate  and  attending  to  two  orange  groves  which  he  has  pur¬ 
chased  near  the  city. 

Captain  Fitts  married  Eliza  J.  Watt,  April  5,  1866.  She 
was  bom  May  4,  1844,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas 
Watt,  of  South  Carolina,  who  married  Harriet  Gandy,  and  died 
in  Clay  County,  Miss.,  Jan.  18,  1880. 


Rev.  PHILIP  A.  FITTS1 
No.  52 


fiOVHlA  HOLLAND  (Cochrane)  FITTS 
Wife  of  No.  52 


105 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  52 

Philip  Augustus  (John3,  Oliver2,  Henry')  Fitts4  was  born 
April  19,  1839,  in  Tuscaloosa  County,  Ala.  In  the  schools  of 
his  native  city  he  secured  a  good  elementary  education,  and  was 
a  student  at  the  University  of  Alabama  in  1856-57.  Being 
anxious  to  support  himself  and  render  assistance  to  two  younger 
sisters,  he  left  the  University  before  receiving  a  diploma  and 
entered  upon  the  study  of  law  in  the  law  office  of  Whitfield  & 
Fitts  in  1857.  Possessing  a  bright  intellect,  and  a  mind  well 
trained  for  one  of  his  age,  and  being  a  diligent  student,  he 
acquired  legal  knowledge  with  great  facility,  and  was  well  pre¬ 
pared  for  admission  to  the  bar  before  he  had  attained  his 
majority.  Foreseeing  his  early  preparation,  his  friends  procured 
the  passage  of  an  act  by  the  Legislature  of  Alabama,  at  the 
session  of  1857-58,  authorizing  him  to  practice  law  in  the  courts 
of  the  State,  notwithstanding  his  non-age,  provided  he  should 
stand  an  approved  examination  before  the  Supreme  Court.  The 
following  year,  1859,  Mr.  Fitts  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  having 
stood  an  examination  before  the  Supreme  Court,  which  was  not 
only  approved  but  highly  complimented  by  all  the  judges.  In 
the  Circuit  Court  of  Tuscaloosa  County,  at  the  spring  term, 
1860,  he  delivered  his  “  maiden  speech  ”  at  the  bar.  This  was 
the  opening  speech  for  the  prosecution,  in  the  celebrated  case  of 
the  “State  vs.  the  Bryants  and  Dobbins,”  for  the  murder  of 

-  Butler.  This  case  was  one  which  had  excited  general 

interest  throughout  Western  Alabama,  as  Dr.  Bryant,  one  of  the 
accused,  was  a  physician  in  fair  standing,  and  the  Foundry  and 
Plow  manufactory  of  Leach  &  Avery  was  destroyed  by  fire,  on 
the  night  of  the  murder,  as  was  supposed  to  conceal  the  murder 
by  destroying  the  body  of  Butler,  who  was  the  night  watchman 
at  that  large  establishment.  The  most  eminent  lawyers  of 
Tuscaloosa,  Judge  E.  W.  Peck,  Judge  W.  Moody  and  the  Hon. 
Wm.  R.  Smith,  had  been  employed  by  the  defendants,  and  they 
had,  by  virtue  of  a  continuance  of  the  case,  a  year’s  time,  in 
which  to  prepare  their  defence.  The  various  circumstances 
rendered  the  case  one  of  unusual  interest,  which  caused  a  book¬ 
seller,  then  in  Tuscaloosa,  by  the  name  of  Woods,  to  take  down 
the  evidence  and  speeches  in  shorthand,  and  to  publish  the 
same  in  pamphlet  form.  Mr.  P.  A.  Fitts  was  called  into  the 
case  by  the  State  solicitor,  B.  J.  Wheeler,  Esq.,  after  the  trial 
commenced,  on  account  of  the  sudden  illness  of  J.  G.  Harris,  Esq., 
who  was  to  have  made  the  opening  speech  for  the  prosecution. 
Notwithstanding  Mr.  Fttts  had  to  prepare  his  speech  during  the 
progress  of  the  trial,  and  it  was  his  first  effort  at  the  bar,  it  was 


15 


106 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


listened  to  with  marked  attention  by  the  court,  jury  and  the 
large  audience  present,  and  was  pronounced  one  of  the  ablest 
speeches  delivered  in  this  case.  This  speech  placed  him  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  rising  young  men  at  the  Tuscaloosa  bar,  con¬ 
vinced  the  public  of  his  ability  as  a  speaker,  and  of  his  fine  legal 
attainments,  which  at  once  assured  his  future  success  in  the 
profession. 

He  entered  upon  a  good  practice  at  the  next  term  of  the 
court,  and  continued  at  the  Tuscaloosa  bar  for  the  next  thirteen 
3Tears.  During  this  time  he  was  connected  with  two  law  firms  ; 
the  first  was  that  of  J.  H.  &  P.  A.  Fitts,  and  the  other  was  that 
of  Hargrove  &  Fitts.  His  partner  in  this  last  firm  was  Col.  A.  C. 
Hargrove,  for  several  years  a  State  senator,  and  recently  Presi¬ 
dent  of  the  Senate.  Both  of  these  law  firms  did  a  good  practice, 
and  the  latter  was  considered  equal  to  any  at  the  bar,  which 
numbered  among  its  members  some  of  the  most  eminent  lawyers 
of  the  State. 

As  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Fitts  was  both  brilliant  and  profound. 
He  prepared  his  cases  with  care,  and  was  rarely  ever  surprised 
by  the  points  made  by  his  adversaries.  He  always  presented 
his  cases  to  the  jury  in  a  forcible  and  earnest  manner,  and  possess¬ 
ing  a  bright  intellect  was  often  eloquent  in  their  presentation. 

In  person,  Mr.  Fitts  was  below  the  medium  height  and  of  a 
delicate  constitution ;  never  blessed  with  robust  health.  But 
notwithstanding  this,  he  volunteered,  as  a  private,  in  Lumsden’s 
Battery,  and  served  two  years  in  the  Confederate  war.  His 
record  was  that  of  a  good  soldier,  in  the  faithful  discharge  of 
every  duty  required  of  him.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa, 
Ala.  Having  joined  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  he  was 
soon  induced  to  become  a  Lay  Reader,  and  was  afterwards 
admitted  to  the  Diaconate.  In  both  capacities  he  served  Christ 
Church,  while  still  practicing  law,  and  won  the  love  and 
admiration  of  the  entire  congregation  for  the  unselfish  and  self- 
sacrificing  services  he  rendered  without  compensation.  In  1873 
Mr.  Fitts  was  admitted  to  the  Priesthood  and  abandoned  the  law 
as  a  profession.  Soon  after  he  was  admitted  to  Priest’s  Orders 
he  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  Church  of  the  Advent,  at 
Birmingham,  Ala.,  where  he  remained  until  November,  1875, 
and  then  removed  to  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  in  response  to  a  call 
from  Trinity  Church  of  that  city.  He  remained  Rector  at 
Clarksville,  for  the  period  of  eleven  years,  and  during  this 
period  the  church  increased  in  numbers  and  in  spiritual  life. 
While  here,  he  succeeded  by  great  personal  sacrifice  and  much 


Rev.  JOHN  J.  HARRIS 
Husband  of  No.  53 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


107 


hard  work,  in  finishing  a  beautiful  and  costly  church  edifice, 
the  foundation  of  which  had  just  been  laid,  when  he  was  called 
to  the  Rectorship. 

He  was  a  deputy  to  the  General  Convention  from  Tennessee 
in  1877-80,  and  from  Kentucky  in  1895.  In  1886  Mr.  Fitts 
accepted  the  pastoral  charge  of  Grace  Church,  Anniston,  Ala., 
where  for  several  years  he  worked  faithfully  for  the  Master’s 
cause. 

The  University  of  the  South  conferred  upon  him  the  degree 
of  D.  D.  in  1893.  Always  earnest,  generally  forcible,  and  fre¬ 
quently  eloquent  as  a  preacher,  gentle,  kind  and  sympathizing 
as  a  pastor,  Dr.  Fitts  never  fails  to  win  the  love  and  admiration 
of  his  parish,  wherever  he  goes.  The  following,  “A  Hearty 
Welcome  to  Rev.  P.  A.  Fitts,  former  Rector  of  Trinity,”  appeared 
in  a  paper  of  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  some  years  ago  : 

“  The  friends  of  Rev.  P.  A.  Fitts,  members  and  non-members 
of  Trinity  Church,  welcomed  his  visit  to  this,  his  former  parish 
with  a  large  and  appreciative  attendance,  both  at  morning  and 
evening  service,  Sunday,  and  were  amply  repaid  in  the  morning 
by  his  admirable  sermon  on  “  Christ  and  Him  Crucified,”  as  the 
central  point  and  fact  of  our  religion.  It  was  listened  to  with 
rapt  attention,  and  was  certainly  an  expression  as  is  seldom 
heard.  The  sermon  in  the  evening  was  not  less  forcible,  on  the 
idols  of  our  heart  and  affection,  which  shape  and  make  our 
future  for  weal  or  woe.  The  rendering  of  the  service  was  also 
done  with  a  felt  fervor  and  devotion  that  carried  it  home  to  the 
hearts  of  all.  The  larger  part  of  the  audience  in  the  morning 
stopped  to  give  a  hearty  hand-shake  and  welcome  to  this,  their 
former  pastor  and  friend.” 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1861,  Dr.  Fitts  was  married  to  Miss 
Sophia  Holland  Cochrane,  daughter  of  the  eminent  lawyer, 
William  Cochrane  and  Sophia  L.  (Perkins)  Cochrane,  of  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  Ala. 


No.  53 

Margaret  Louisa  (John3,  Oliver3,  Henry1)  Fitts3  was  born 
May  1st,  1841. 

She  was  married  to  John  James  Harris  Dec.  18,  1861. 

John  James  Harris  was  born  June  10,  1837;  baptized  May 
21,  1871.  He  was  the  son  of  Richard  N.  Harris  and  Amanda 
Banks  Harris,  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  in  which  city  he  was  raised 
and  educated.  He  was  graduated  at  the  University  of  Alabama, 
with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  in  1857,  and  in  1859  the  degree  of 
A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  same  institution.  He 


108 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


selected  the  law  as  his  profession,  and  the  degree  of  LL.B.  was 
conferred  upon  him  by  the  Cumberland  University  of  Tennessee. 

In  1860  he  was  a  Planter  in  Marengo  County  and  an 
Attorney  at  law  in  Tuscaloosa.  The  following  year,  as  orderly 
Sergeant,  he  went  with  the  “  Warrior  Guards  ”  for  the  defence 
of  Fort  Morgan,  Ala.,  and  then  to  Virginia  as  lieutenant  of  the 
same  company.  He  was  present  at  the  first  battle  of  Manassas, 
but  his  company  did  not  participate  in  the  engagement.  In 
1862  he  was  transferred  to  the  Mining  Bureau  and  placed  in 
charge  of  the  manufacturing  of  saltpetre  for  making  gunpowder. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Harris  continued  planting  in 
Marengo  and  became  a  merchant  in  Tuscaloosa,  and  was  editor 
and  proprietor  of  a  weekly  newspaper  called  the  “  Independent 
Monitor 

He  was  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa  in  1874-75-76. 
He  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Tuscaloosa 
County  by  the  Governor  of  the  State  in  1875,  and  was  elected  by 
the  people  to  fill  the  same  office  in  1880.  He  resigned  the  office 
of  clerk  in  March,  1882,  and  the  following  June  was  elected  by 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  University  of  Alabama,  Quarter¬ 
master  of  that  institution,  which  office  he  has  held  for  the  past 
seventeen  years,  discharging  its  duties  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
win  the  esteem  of  the  faculty  and  cadets,  and  the  approval  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees. 

In  1871  Mr.  Harris  joined  the  Episcopal  Church  and  has 
been  a  zealous,  consistent  and  useful  member.  Being  well 
informed  in  Church  history  he  was,  in  a  few  years,  appointed  a 
Lay  Reader,  and  in  February,  1885,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
Diaconate. 

As  a  Deacon  he  has  rendered  much  valuable  and  gratuitous 
service  to  the  congregation  of  Christ  Church,  Tuscaloosa.  Dur¬ 
ing  two  vacancies  he  had  charge  of  the  parish  for  several 
months  each  time;  and  for  many  months,  during  the  illness  of 
the  Rev.  James  H.  Stringfellow,  he  performed  all  the  duties  of 
rector  as  far  as  it  was  possible  for  a  Deacon  to  do. 

Mr.  Harris  has  endeared  himself  to  the  congregation  and 
received  the  warmest  thanks  of  the  Vestry  for  his  services.  He 
justly  deserves  their  lasting  gratitude. 

No.  54 

Tempe  (John3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts1  was  married  to  James 
E.  Hawkins  Nov.  14,  1872. 

James  E.  Hawkins  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ala., 
April  10,  1851,  and  was  educated  at  the  University  of  the  South, 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


109 


Sewanee,  Tenn.  Adopting  the  legal  profession  he  located  at 
Birmingham,  Ala.,  and  in  1882  was  appointed  Assistant  Solicitor 
for  the  county.  During  this  year  he  was  elected  as  one  of  the 
representatives  of  Jefferson  County  to  the  legislature,  and  served 
in  the  session  of  1882-83.  The  following  year  he  was  elected 
by  the  legislature,  Solicitor  of  Jefferson  County,  which  office  he 
held  nine  years,  resigning  in  1892.  He  was  made  assistant 
U.  S.  district  attorney  in  1894.  He  died  July  3,  1895,  in 
Birmingham,  Ala. 

The  following  notices  from  the  City  Papers  will  show  in 
what  estimation  he  was  held  by  the  citizens  : 

“HE  IS  DYING 

Death  Stands  at  the  Bedside  of  Hon.  James  E.  Hawkins 

Awaiting  the  end ! 

There  is  a  wave  of  sympathy  going  out  to  the  devoted  wife 
and  family  of  Hon.  James  E.  Hawkins,  who  is  now  dying  at  his 
residence  on  Eighth  avenue.  It  is  but  a  question  of  a  few  hours 
before  one  of  Jefferson’s  brightest  minds  and  most  generous  souls 
will  have  been  gathered  to  his  fathers  and  sleep  by  the  side  of  his 
ancestors  in  the  soil  whereon  he  was  born  and  won  the  honors 
that  have  been  accorded  him  in  his  forty-four  years  of  life. 

As  a  practitioner  at  the  bar  and  as  Solicitor  of  Jefferson 
county,  an  office  he  held  for  six  years,  Mr.  Hawkins  ranked  with 
his  ablest  confrers,  while,  in  general  popularity  with  his  fellows 
of  high  and  low  degree  alike,  he  was  probably  the  most  favored 
of  all  his  companions.  Two  years  ago  Jefferson  County  chose  him 
as  her  candidate  for  Congress  and  gave  him  her  solid  delegation. 

Loved  by  all  that  came  within  his  reach,  honored  by  the 
public  beyond  his  years — there  will  be  many  eyes  to  moisten 
when  the  sad  news  shall  have  come. 

The  last  public  office  conferred  on  Mr.  Hawkins  was  that  of 
Assistant  District  Attorney,  a  position  he  has  filled  with  honor 
to  the  present  time. 

Hoping  against  hope,  his  friends  still  cling  to  the  faintest 
glimmer  of  brightness  that  may  possibly  appear  through  the 
clouds.” 


“Fourth  of  July,  1895. 

At  the  hour  of  4:20  yesterday  afternoon  Hon.  .James  E. 
Hawkins  died  at  his  residence  on  Elyton  avenue.  Calmly  and 
peacefully  he  drew  his  last  breath  on  earth;  his  noble  heart 
ceased  to  beat,  and  his  spirit  winged  its  flight  into  the  realms 
of  eternity.  He  died  surrounded  by  his  wife  and  children  and 


no 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


devoted  friends,  who  have  watched  so  patiently  by  his  bedside 
during  his  long  illness. 

For  several  days  the  doctors  have  despaired  of  his  recovery, 
but  his  devoted  wife  and  friends  clung  to  the  hope  that  he  might 
be  spared. 

Yesterday  morning  about  3  o’clock  he  awakened  from  the 
unconscious  state  in  which  he  had  been,  and  recognized  his  wife 
and  friends  around  his  bedside.  But  the  moments  of  conscious¬ 
ness  were  such  as  frequently  come  to  those  who  are  upon  the 
banks  of  the  eternal  river,  and  he  soon  relapsed  into  uncon¬ 
sciousness,  from  which  he  did  not  again  rouse  until  death’s  icy 
finger  was  upon  him. 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  Hawkins,  Birmingham  and  Jefferson 
county  sustain  a  loss  which  will  be  keenly  felt  and  realized. 

He  was  born  and  reared  here  on  Jefferson  soil,  and  was  one 
of  her  truest  and  most  loyal  sons.  As  a  professional  man  he 
was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  at  the  State  bar,  and  in  his  death 
the  legal  fraternity  loses  a  brother  well  worthy  of  their  admira¬ 
tion  and  love. 

At  an  early  age  Mr.  Hawkins  graduated  in  law  and  com¬ 
menced  its  practice  here  in  Birmingham.  Steadily  he  climbed 
the  ladder  until  he  soon  ranked  among  the  most  prominent 
attorneys  in  Alabama.  For  six  years  Mr.  Hawkins  was  solicitor 
of  Jefferson  county.  Two  years  ago  Jefferson  made  him  her 
candidate  for  Congress  from  this  district  and  gave  him  a  solid 
delegation. 

As  a  worker  in  the  ranks  of  Democracy  he  has  ever  been 
with  the  first  and  foremost,  keeping  always  in  view  the  interests 
of  his  county  and  his  State. 

Mr.  Hawkins  was  whole-souled  and  generous  of  heart,  and 
was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  leaves  a  host  of  friends 
who  will  mingle  their  tears  with  those  of  his  wife  and  bereaved 
children  in  this  the  hour  of  their  greatest  sorrow.” — Birmingham 
State. 

Mr.  Flawkins  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Mrs.  J.  J.  Harris  of 
Tuscaloosa.  He  had  many  admiring  friends  in  this  city  who 
will  hear  of  his  death  with  sorrow. 

No.  97 

Thomas  Henry1  Rogers  was  born  March  16,  1824 ;  baptized 
by  Rev.  George  Nolley  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

He  was  educated  at  Randolph  Macon  College,  Boydton,  Va., 
and  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  died 
April  22,  1860,  unmarried. 


WILLIAM  CASWELL  4  DRAKE 
No.  no 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  98 


111 


George  Oliver4  Rogers  was  bom  Oct.  15,  1826,  and 
baptized  by  the  Rev.  George  Nolley. 

He  was  educated  at  the  Randolph  Macon  College,  and  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Pie  married  Mary  Drake,  of  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  on  June 
the  4th,  1850.  He  died  March  5,  1857.  They  had  no  children. 

No.  99 

Emily  Ann4  Rogers  was  born  Sept.  30,  1828;  baptized  by 
Rev.  M.  Deyer  (M.  E.  Church). 

She  was  educated  in  Boyd  ton,  Va.,  and  married  Benjamin 
Drew  of  Southampton  County,  Va.,  on  Nov.  6,  1850. 

No.  100 

Adeline  Fitts4  Rogers  was  born  Dec.  21,  1830;  baptized 
by  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Rowgir. 

She  married  Prof.  O.  H.  P.  Corprew  on  July  5,  1854,  and 
died  Dec.  7,  1893. 

At  the  date  of  their  marriage  Mr.  Corprew  was  Professor  at 
Randolph  Macon  College,  Va.  He  is  now  Professor  at  Central 
College,  Fayette,  Mo.  T'hey  had  no  children. 

Mrs.  Emely  Ann4  (Rogers)  Drew  is  now  the  only  one  of  the 
Rogers  family  living.  She  and  her  youngest  son,  Benjamin  C. 
Drew,  with  her  two  unmarried  daughters  live  in  Southampton 
County,  Va.  She  has  only  one  grandchild. 

No.  101 

Henry  Fitts1  Twitty  was  born  Oct.  2nd,  1823.  He  married 
Martha  Foote  of  Warren  County,  N.  C.  He  was  a  planter,  and 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  and  was  twice  wounded. 

He  died  September,  1887.  His  widow  still  survives  him. 

No.  105 

Sallie  Fitts4  Twitty  was  born  about  1830.  She  was 
married  to  William  Caswell  Drake  on  the  18th  of  October,  1854. 

William  Caswell  Drake  was  born  31st  of  August,  1832,  in 
Warren  County,  N.  C.  He  received  his  primary  education  in 
the  best  schools  of  his  county,  and  finished  his  course  at  Ran¬ 
dolph  Macon  College. 

After  his  marriage,  being  then  22  years  of  age,  he  settled 
on  his  plantation  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  farming  until  the  commencement  of  hostilities 


112 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


between  the  States.  Animated  by  a  patriotic  love  for  the  South, 
and  determined  to  maintain  at  all  hazards  what  he  believed  to 
be  the  rights  of  his  native  State,  Mr.  Drake  at  once  raised  a 
companjr,  of  which  he  was  elected  captain,  and  enlisted  in  the 
Confederate  army,  leaving  his  loving  wife,  three  little  children 
and  a  happy  home  to  strike  for  their  liberty  on  the  field  of  battle. 
Such  men  constituted  the  true  heroes  of  the  South,  who  fought 
not  for  personal  aggrandizement,  political  preferment,  nor  for 
military  glory,  but  for  the  independence  of  their  beloved  South. 

As  commanding  officer  of  his  company  Capt.  Drake  served 
the  Confederacy  until  11th  of  June,  1863,  at  which  time  the 
hardships  of  the  tented  field  had  made  such  inroads  upon  his 
constitution  that  he  was  compelled  to  resign  his  commission  on 
account  of  ill  health. 

In  a  few  months  Capt.  Drake’s  health  being  partially 
restored  he  accepted  an  appointment,  from  the  Governor  of  the 
State,  to  the  command  of  the  6tli  Battalion  of  North  Carolina 
troops,  with  the  rank  of  major.  In  this  command  he  served 
during  the  war,  and  when  Gen.  Lee  surrendered,  Major  Drake 
was  acting  as  Judge  Advocate  of  a  General  Court  Martial,  by 
appointment  from  Gov.  Vance. 

After  the  war  closed  Major  Drake  resumed  farming  and 
taught  school  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  for  several  years. 

Being  a  duly  commissioned  Magistrate,  he  was  elected  by 
the  Board  of  Magistrates  of  Warren  County,  Judge  of  the  Inferior 
Criminal  Court.  In  1885  he  resigned  the  office  of  Judge  of  the 
Criminal  Court,  and  was  elected  by  the  joint  Boards  of  Magis¬ 
trates  and  County  Commissioners  of  Education,  to  the  office  of 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  for  Warren  County,  N.  C. 
He  has  filled  this  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people,  and 
holds  it  at  the  present  time.  Major  William  Caswell  Drake 
was  married  to  his  second  wife,  Olivia  Duke  Fitts4,  on  the  29th 
of  January,  1863. 


No.  110 

Olivia  Duke  (Oliver  D.3,  Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts4  was  born 
May  10,  1837.  She  was  married  to  Maj.  William  Caswell 
Drake  (his  second  wife)  on  the  29th  of  January,  1863. 

Being  the  eldest  surviving  daughter  she  was  the  idol  of  her 
father,  who  humored  her  in  every  wish.  His  lavished  affection 
and  generous  indulgence  made  her  neither  vain  nor  selfish,  but 
served  to  educate  her  to  generous  deeds  and  acts  of  charity. 
Combined  with  these  lovely  traits  of  character  she  possessed  an 
intellect  of  the  highest  order.  In  all  the  varied  relations  of  life, 


SALL1E  DUKE 4  (Drake)  TWITTY 
No.  xxi 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


113 


as  daughter,  sister,  wife,  mother  and  neighbor,  she  had  few 
equals.  Universally  beloved,  the  entire  community  mourned 
her  death,  which  occurred  on  the  26th  of  January.  1892. 

No.  108 

Henry  Fitts4  Drake  was  born  June  28,  1828.  He  was 
graduated  from  Randolph  Macon  College,  at  Mechlenburg,  Va., 
in  the  class  of  1852. 

He  was,  after  his  graduation,  elected  tutor  of  the  College, 
and  died  June  24,  1852. 

No.  109 

Mary  Ann4  Drake  was  born  May  29,  1830.  She  was  edu¬ 
cated  at  Boydton,  Va.,  and  married  to  Dr.  George  Oliver  Rogers, 
in  1850. 

She  died  on  the  14th  of  February,  1853.  They  left  no  issue. 

No.  Ill 

Sallie  Duke4  Drake  was  born  in  July,  1835.  She  was 
educated  at  the  Warrenton  Female  College,  at  Warrenton,  N.C., 
when  that  institution  was  under  the  management  of  the 
renowned  Educator,  Rev.  Dr.  Turner.  She  married  John  Eldrege 
Twitty,  Dec.  31,  1862,  who  was  a  gallant  Confederate  soldier. 
He  was  mortally  wounded  in  a  charge  at  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  Va.,  on  the  12th  of  May,  1864,  and  died  a  prisoner  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  May  21,  1864.  He  was  buried  at  Arlington 
Heights,  and  in  November,  1865,  his  remains  were  removed  and 
placed  in  the  family  graveyard  at  the  old  Fitts  homestead  in 
Warren  County,  N.  C.  Few  nobler  lives  were  immolated  on  the 
altar  of  the  “Lost  Cause.”  His  widow  still  survives  him,  and 
is  now  engaged  as  lady  Principal  in  the  Luray  Female  Institute, 
in  Page  County,  Va. 

No.  112 

John  Oliver4  Drake  was  born  Oct.  4,  1837,  in  Warren 
County,  N.  C.  He  was  prepared  for  College  in  good  schools 
near  his  father’s  home,  and  matriculated  at  Trinity  College, 
N.  C.;  but  on  account  of  his  health,  always  feeble,  he  was 
enabled  to  remain  only  for  a  short  time.  Returning  home,  he 
spent  some  time  on  his  father’s  farm  and  then  accepted  a  clerk¬ 
ship  in  a  store  at  Warrenton,  N.  C.  In  June,  1861,  Mr.  Drake 
volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  Confederate  army,  joining  the 
12th  N.  C.  Regiment,  and  served  as  a  private  in  the  ranks  until 
July,  1863,  participating  in  the  bloody  struggle  at  the  battles  of 


16 


114 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg.  Soon  after  this  latter  engage¬ 
ment  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  sergeant  in  the  commissary 
department  of  the  army  of  Gen.  Lee,  and  was  with  it  at  the  sur¬ 
render  at  Appomattox.  After  being  paroled,  he  returned  to 
Warren  County,  N.  C.,  and  for  several  years  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  H.  Finly,  a  daughter  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Finly  of  the  Virginia  conference,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  at  Shocco  Springs,  which  he  and  his  sister  had  inherited 
from  their  uncle,  Joseph  A.  Drake.  She  was  a  lady  of  rare 
loveliness  of  character,  but  lived  to  grace  and  bless  his  home 
only  for  a  few  years,  dying  on  the  27tli  of  April,  1877. 

John  Oliver'1  Drake  has  been  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many 
years,  and  resides  at  present  in  Warrenton,  N.  C.,  holding  the 
same  office,  honored  and  loved  by  all. 

No.  113 

Sarah  Fittshenry4  Palmer  was  born  Aug.  16,  1840,  and 
baptized  by  Rev.  Mr.  Goodman.  She  was  educated  at  Warren¬ 
ton,  N.  C.  She  married  Robert  Cheek  T witty,  of  Warren 
County,  N.  C.,  on  May  30,  1860.  He  was  educated  at  Trinity 
College,  Randolph  County,  N.  C.  He  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
12th  Regiment,  N.  C.  Volunteers;  afterwards  joined  the  1st 
N.  C.  Cavalry,  Company  “C.” 

No.  114 

William  Hendrick4  Palmer  was  born  Aug.  20,  1844. 
He  was  educated  at  Boydton,  Va.  He  married  Alice  Fitts' 
Scoggin,  Dec.  6,  1865. 


No.  128 

Harriet  Annie  (Oliver  D.3,  Henry2,  Henry’)  Fitts4  was 
married  to  Benjamin  Ricks  Arrington  on  the  26th  of  February 
1868.  He  is  a  merchant,  and  was  born  in  Halifax  County, 
N.  C.,  where  he  was  raised.  They  live  at  Rocky  Mount,  N.  C. 

No.  123 

Henry  (Oliver  D.3,  Henry2,  Henry')  Fitts4  was  born  Oct. 
27,  1832,  in  Warren  County.  Lie  received  a  fair  education  in 
the  Academies  and  High  Schools  of  that  county. 

At  the  age  of  22  he  lost  his  father,  when  he  took  charge  of 
his  estate  and  managed  the  plantation;  taking  care  of  his 
mother  and  the  family  until  her  death  in  1858,  when  the  prop¬ 
erty  was  divided.  After  his  mother’s  death  he  continued  to 


JOHN  OLIVER 4  DRAKE 
No.  1 1 2 


9 


FRANCIS  MICHAEL  FITTS  4 
No.  126 


Fitts  or  Filz  Family 


115 


farm,  keeping  “  Batchelor’s  Hall;  ”  and  being  a  great  lover  of 
the  chase,  he  kept  a  pack  of  hounds  with  which  he  and  his 
friends  frequently  amused  themselves,  hunting  foxes  and  deer. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  in  1861,  he  volunteered  in  an 
infantry  company,  the  “Warren  Guards,”  which  was  placed  in 
the  12th  Regiment  of  N.  C.  Volunteers.  This  company  and 
one  other  from  this  county  contained  the  best  element  of  young 
men  of  the  State,  nine  tenths  of  whom  were  killed  or  disabled 
during  the  war.  He  was  wit?h  his  regiment  at  the  battles  of 
Hanover  Court  House  and  Seven  Pines,  and  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  battles  around  Richmond.  He  was  on  the  field 
at  the  second  battle  of  Manassas,  and  at  Boonsboro  and  Sharps- 
burg,  in  Maryland.  During  the  hard  marches  and  exposure  of 
this  first  Maryland  campaign,  he  contracted  typhoid  fever,  from 
which  disease  he  died  at  Staunton,  Va.,  in  the  fall  of  1862, 
attended  by  his  faithful  servant,  William,  who  carried  his 
remains  to  his  home.  He  was  buried  in  the  family  cemetery  at 
the  home  of  his  grandfather,  Henry  Fitts2. 

He  was  never  married. 


No.  126 

Francis  Michael  (Oliver  D.3,  Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts1  mar¬ 
ried  Ann  Sterling  Thrower  (Harriet3,  Henry2,  Henry1)  Fitts4  on 
Nov.  30,  1864.  She  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  Aug. 
8th,  1846,  and  was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  R.  O.  Burton,  in  the 

M.  E.  Church.  She  was  educated  at  the  Warrenton  Female 
College. 

Francis  Michael  Fitts4  was  born  May  8,  1841,  in  Warren 
County,  N.  C.,  on  his  father’s  plantation,  near  the  Roanoke 
River,  and  was  baptized  in  1846  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Campbell 
of  the  North  Carolina  Conference,  M.  E.  Church,  South.  He 
entered  the  Male  Academy  at  Warrenton,  N.  C.,  when  ten  years 
of  age,  and  subsequently  went  to  the  Male  Academy  at  Raleigh, 

N.  C.,  under  Mr.  J.  M.  Lovejoy.  While  attending  this  school, 
in  February,  1854,  his  father  died,  and  his  mother  then  sent 
him  to  school  at  Olin,  N.  C.,  under  the  charge  of  her  brother- 
in-law,  Rev.  Baxter  Clegg.  His  mother  was  exceedingly  anxious 
to  give  him  a  classical  education,  as,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was 
fully  prepared  to  enter  the  State  University.  At  this  time  an 
opportunity  was  presented  to  him  of  commencing  life  as  a  clerk 
in  a  merchantile  house  in  Warren  County,  and  like  many  other 
young  men,  he  could  not  resist  the  temptation,  though  he  was 
acting  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  his  mother.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  removed  to  Marion,  Ala.,  and  was  a  salesman  in 


116 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


a  drygoods  house,  in  that  place  when  the  Civil  war  began. 
Rejoined  the  “Marion  Rifles”  under  Capt.  Young  Royston,  as 
a  private,  and  went  with  that  company  to  Fort  Morgan,  Ala., 
for  its  defence,  in  1861.  The  company  was  ordered  to  return 
home  after  remaining  at  Fort  Morgan  one  month.  In  April  of 
the  same  year,  he  assisted  in  organizing  the  “  Marion  Light 
Infantry,”  of  which  Porter  King  was  captain,  W.  M.  Robbins  first 
lieutenant,  George  D.  Johnston  (afterwards  Brigadier  General) 
second  lieutenant,  and  J.  S.  Evans  third  lieutenant.  On  the 
24th  of  April,  1861,  Mr.  Fitts  left  Marion  with  this  company  for 
Dalton,  Ga.,  where  it  was  mustered  into  service  as  a  part  of  the 
celebrated  Fourth  Alabama  Regiment,  under  Col.  Egbert  J. 
Jones  And  Lieut. -Col.  E.  M.  Law,  afterwards  a  Brigadier  General. 
The  4th  Alabama  Regiment  was  sent  to  Harper’s  Ferry, 
and  served  under  Col.  Jackson,  afterwards  the  immortal  “  Stone 
wall.”  At  the  first  battle  of  Mannassas  the  4th  Alabama  Regi¬ 
ment  was  in  Bee’s  Brigade,  and  it  was  when  that  gallant  officer 
was  leading,  this  regiment,  into  the  second  action  just  before  he 
fell,  mortally  wounded,  that  he  exclaimed  :  “  Yonder  stands 

Jackson  like  a  stone  wall.”  Ever  afterwards  he  was  called 
“  Stone-wall  Jackson.”  Mr.  Fitts  heard  Gen.  Bee  when  he  made 
the  exclamation,  which  gave  Gen.  Jackson  the  nick-name, 
which  is  immortalized  in  history.  He  served  in  the  4th 
Alabama  Regiment  until  the  summer  of  1862,  when  he  was 
transferred,  at  his  request,  to  the  30th  North  Carolina  Regiment, 
under  Col.  Parker  of  Gen.  Rodes’  division,  Jackson’s  Corps.  He 
served  in  this  regiment  during  the  war,  and  surrendered  with  it 
at  Appomattox.  During  all  the  vicissitudes  of  this  protracted 
conflict  he  displayed  the  courage  of  a  hero  and  the  spirit  of  a 
martyr,  exhibiting  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  South  by 
volunteering  in  her  defence,  when  the  first  gun  fired,  and  by 
continuing  a  faithful  soldier  in  her  army  until  the  last  hope  for 
her  freedom  was  extinguished.  In  1864,  at  the  battle  of  Cedar 
Creek,  he  was  wounded,  and  for  gallant  services  was,  the  same 
year,  brevetted  a  Captain  by  Gen.  Rodes. 

After  the  war  he  returned  to  his  native  State,  and  was 
engaged  in  farming  and  school  teaching  until  the  year  1881, 
when  he  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  Board  of  Magistrates  of 
Warren  County,  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction.  He  was 
elected  to  this  office  three  times,  and  discharged  its  duties  until 
June,  1885,  when  he  resigned  to  take  a  position  in  the  U.  S. 
Railway  Mail  Service,  having  been  highly  recommended  for  the 
appointment  by  U.  S.  Senator  W.  W.  Ransom  of  North  Carolina. 
He  resided  in  Washington  City,  holding  the  position  as  clerk  of 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


117 


Class  5  in  the  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  Charleston,  S.  C.,  railway 
post-office  until  the  fall  of  1896,  when  he  returned  to  Macon, 
N.  C.,  his  present  residence. 

No.  130 

George  Collins  (Oliver  D.3,  Henry3,  Henry1)  Fitts1  was 
born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  on  the  15th  of  October,  1849. 
He  lost  his  father  when  he  was  four  years  old,  and  mother  when 
nine  years  of  age.  Mathew  M.  Drake  became  his  guardian, 
took  him  to  his  home,  and  sent  him  to  school,  from  1859  to  the 
date  of  his  death  in  1863. 

In  January,  1865,  being  then  only  16  years  of  age,  he 
joined  his  brother,  Francis  M.,  who  had  charge  of  a  wagon 
train,  on  a  foraging  expedition,  and  went  with  him  to  Peters¬ 
burg,  reaching  that  city  a  week  or  two  before  it  was  evacuated 
by  the  Confederates.  He  was  with  the  army  on  its  retreat  to 
Appomattox,  and  was  paroled  at  the  surrender.  With  his 
brother  he  walked  home,  a  distance  of  more  than  100  miles, 
and  arrived  there  April  14th,  1865.  The  next  year  he  com¬ 
menced  farming  and  continued  this  occupation  until  1874,  when 
he  went  to  California  and  remained  there  two  years,  and  then 
returned  to  Warren  County.  He  resumed  his  farming,  and,  on  the 
29th  of  October,  1878,  was  married  to  Pattie  Claiborne,  who  was 
born  in  that  county,  Aug.  25,  1855.  He  was  elected  Sheriff  of 
Warren  County  in  1882,  and  again  in  1884.  When  he  went 
out  of  office  he  surrendered  all  his  property  to  protect  his 
sureties.  He  now  rented  lands  formerly  owned  by  him,  and  farmed 
from  1886  to  1891;  but  was  unable  to  redeem  his  former  pos¬ 
sessions.  In  1891  he  moved  to  Durham,  N.  C.,  where  he  now 
resides. 

No.  132 

James  Henry  (Henry  Green3,  Henry3,  Henry1)  Fitts1  was 
born  May  3,  1836,  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.  He  married 
Francis  Moylan  Bird,  a  daughter  of  Henry  D.  Bird,  of  Peters¬ 
burg,  Va.,  on  the  14th  of  June,  1855.  He  early  espoused  the 
Southern  cause,  and  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer,  joining 
the  12th  N.  C.  Regiment,  and  died  in  the  Confederate  service  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  on  the  anniversary  of  his  wedding  in  1861. 

No.  133 

Sallie  Duke1  Twitty  was  born  April  13,  1831.  She  was 
married  to  James  Armstrong  Duncan,  A.M.,  D.D,  on  the  17th  of 


118 


Fills  or  Fitz  Family 


December,  1850.  In  a  “Memorial  Sketch  of  James  Armstrong 
Duncan  by  Rev.  Alex.  G.  Brown,  D.D.,  appears  the  following- 
tribute  to  her  worth: 

“In  sketching  the  life  of  this  illustrious  man  his  early 
marriage  must  not  be  omitted.  In  his  twentieth  year  he  led  to 
the  bridal  altar  one  of  the  fairest  daughters  of  North  Carolina, 
Miss  Sallie  Duke  Twitty,  oldest  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Eveline 
T witty  (nee  Fitts),  who  in  the  bloom  and  beauty  of  a  refined 
and  cultured  womanhood,  in  her  twentieth  year,  made  him  the 
princely  gift  of  her  hand  and  heart.  Their  marriage  took  place 
at  Warrenton,  North  Carolina,  December  17,  1850. 

To  say  that  her  loving  companionship  was  his  greatest 
earthly  blessing,  would  be  but  to  repeat  his  own  estimate  of  her 
worth.  How  far  his  brilliant  achievements  in  life  may  be  due 
to  her  wise  counsels,  her  helpful  sympathy  and  her  fervent 
prayer,  it  is  not  for  us  to  know.  Suffice  it  to  say,  in  every  place 
they  lived,  in  every  church  they  served,  in  every  cause  they 
espoused,  in  every  cross  they  bore,  in  every  pain  they  suffered, 
she  was  ever  faithful,  true  and  good;  and  in  reviewing  her  life, 
alas!  too  short,  it  may  be  said  of  her  as  of  Mary  of  Bethany: 
“  She  hath  done  what  she  could.”  After  a  lingering  illness  of 
many  weeks  she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  Dec.  23,  1870. 

She  was  buried  in  Richmond’s  most  beautiful  cemetery, 
Holly-wood,  where,  with  her  deceased  children,  she  rests  in  the 
hope  of  a  glorious  resurrection.  Four  children  survive  her — 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,  who  fondly  cherish  her  memory 
and  perpetuate  her  influence.  May  they  meet  in  heaven.” 

A  Memorial  Sketch  of  the  Late  Rev.  James  A.  Duncan, 

A.M.,  D.D.,  Prepared  by  His  Friend,  Rev.  Alex.  G. 

Brown,  D.D.,  of  Ashland,  V a. 

The  Rev.  James  Armstrong  Duncan,  A.M.,  D.D.,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Norfolk,  Va.,  April  14,  1830,  and  died  at  Ashland, 
Ya.,  the  seat  of  Randolph  Macon  College,  of  which  he  was  the 
gifted,  popular  and  highly  honored  President,  Sept.  24th,  1877. 
When  he  was  a  child,  his  father,  Prof.  David  Duncan,  A.M.,  an 
Irishman  to  the  manor  born,  and  an  educator  of  rare  scholarship 
and  ability  in  his  day,  accepted  the  chair  of  Ancient  Languages 
in  Randolph  Macon  College,  then  located  near  Boydton,  Mech- 
lenburg  County,  Va.,  and  the  family  removed  to  that  place  and 
there  resided  for  a  number  of  years.  Here  Dr.  Duncan  was 
educated,  converted  to  God  and  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
His  first  sermons  composed  and  delivered  in  his  eighteenth  year, 


JAMES  ARMSTRONG  DUNCAN,  A.M.,  D.D. 
Husband  of  No.  133 


Fills  or  Fitz  Family 


119 


while  yet  a  student,  are  still  remembered  in  Mecklenburg,  and 
gave  gratifying  promise  of  his  future  greatness  as  a  pulpit 
orator.  In  June,  1849,  he  graduated,  and  was  appointed  at 
once  Pastor  of  the  newly  organized  Southern  Methodist  Church  in 
the  city  of  Alexandria,  Va.  A  great  revival  of  religion  crowned 
his  ministry  in  this  place,  and  there  began  his  wonderful  popu¬ 
larity  and  success  as  a  preacher  and  Pastor,  that  waxed  stronger 
and  more  lustrous,  until  the  light  of  his  resplendent  genius  was 
quenched  by  death.  In  November  of  this  year  he  was  admitted 
into  the  Itenerant  Ministry  at  Petersburg,  Va.;  in  1851,  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  he  was  elected  to  Deacon’s  Orders,  and  ordained 
by  Bishop  James  O.  Andrews,  D.D.;  and  in  October,  1853,  at 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  he  was  elected  to  Elder’s  Orders,  and  ordained 
by  Bishop  Robert  Payne,  D.D. 

The  first  nine  years  of  his  ministry  was  in  Washington 
District,  as  it  was  then  called,  and  our  churches  in  Plampshire, 
Fairfax,  Leesburg,  Washington  City,  and  again  in  Alexandria, 
were  greatly  edified  and  increased,  both  in  numbers  and 
influence,  by  his  preaching,  which  was  not  with  enticing  words 
of  man’s  wisdom,  but  in  demostrations  of  the  spirit  and  of 
power ;  and  his  able  and  efficient  ministry  gave  a  mighty 
impulse  to  the  cause  he  so  faithfully  and  eloquently  represented. 
The  metropolis  of  the  State  was  the  next  field  of  his  labors,  and 
here  for  nine  years  he  stood  abreast  with  the  foremost  pulpit 
orators  of  the  land.  The  people  of  all  classes,  professions  and 
denominations  flocked  to  hear  his  matchless  discourses,  and  his 
attractive  manners  in  social  life,  his  genial  warm-heartedness, 
his  uniform  courtesy  and  kindness,  his  exquisite  wit  and  humor, 
bound  them  to  him  with  hooks  of  steel. 

Iiis  first  Richmond  charge  was  old  Trinity,  on  Franklin 
street,  near  the  Exchange  Hotel,  to  which  he  was  assigned  in 
November,  1857.  The  mother-church  of  Richmond  Methodism 
was  most  unfortunately  located.  The  tide  of  population  and 
prosperity  was  rapidly  flowing  to  the  more  attractive  sections  of 
the  city,  and  Trinity,  though  a  prominent  and  important  station, 
was  already  somewhat  weakened.  Indeed,  a  crisis  had  been 
reached  in  the  history  of  this  church,  and  its  environment  made 
the  prospect  of  success  by  no  means  encouraging.  But  rising 
above  all  discouragements,  the  young  Pastor  soon  had  this  old 
and  unsightly  building  crowded  with  eager  and  delighted  con¬ 
gregations.  A  series  of  sermons  to  young  men,  and  another  to 
young  women,  gave  him  great  popularity.  1 1  is  thrilling  appeals 
filled  the  city  with  his  fame,  and  before  the  close  of  the  first 
year  of  his  Pastorate  it  was  proposed  that  old  Trinity  should  be 


120 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


divided,  and  that  two  new  churches,  both  larger  and  more 
attractive,  should  be  built  on  Broad  street,  the  main  boulevard 
of  the  city.  Dr.  Duncan  was  the  life  and  leader  of  this  great 
movement,  and  our  beautiful  Broad  street  church,  standing  on 
the  corner  of  Broad  and  Twelfth  streets,  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  State  Capitol,  the  Governor’s  Mansion  and  the 
elegant  City  Hall,  was  built  the  next  year. 

The  splendid  and  spacious  edifice  is  an  everlasting  monu¬ 
ment  to  the  genius  of  James  A.  Duncan,  and  to  the  liberality  of 
his  devoted  and  life-long  friend,  W.  K.  Watts.  And  on  the 
corner  of  Broad  and  Twentieth  streets  stands  another  church, 
scarcely  less  costly  and  imposing,  bearing  the  old  name,  Trinity, 
both  the  outcome  directly  and  indirectly  of  Dr.  Duncan’s  won¬ 
derful  success  in  Richmond.  But  the  chief  throne  of  his  power 
was  the  pulpit  of  Broad  Street  Church,  to  which  he  was  twice 
assigned,  first  in  1859  and  again  in  1863. 

The  fact  that  at  this  time  Richmond  was  the  capital  of  the 
Confederate  States  and  the  grand  headquarters  of  the  Confederate 
army,  gave  it  great  prominence,  and  drew  to  it  the  President 
and  Official  Staff  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  made  it  the 
favorite  city  of  our  Southland,  and  filled  it  with  the  flower  of 
southern  society,  talent  and  wealth.  In  those  eventful  years 
Dr.  Duncan’s  preaching  reached  the  highest  pitch  of  his  power, 
and  was  heard  by  multitudes,  whose  number  eternity  must 
reveal. 

Jefferson  Davis,  the  honored  President  of  the  Confederacy, 
was  a  frequent  visitor  at  his  church,  and  when  the  gallant  chief 
of  the  “  lost  cause  ”  saw  that  he  could  no  longer  defend  Rich¬ 
mond  from  the  hosts  of  the  advancing  foe,  Dr.  Duncan  was 
notified  of  that  fact,  and  was  invited  to  a  seat  in  the  car  that 
bore  Mr.  Davis  and  his  family  from  the  scene  of  the  burning  city. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  Southern  armies,  Dr.  Duncan 
quietly  returned  to  his  pulpit  and  people,  and  amid  the  ashes 
and  ruins  of  the  fallen  Capitol,  his  church  was  again  filled  with 
overflowing  congregations,  His  faithful,  spiritual  and  eloquent 
preaching,  entranced,  comforted  and  edified  and  impressed  the 
listening  thousands  that  flocked  to  hear  him.  His  influence 
widened  and  deepened  until  the  close  of  the  Pastoral  term  in 
November,  1866,  and  no  man  in  our  day  accomplished  more  for 
Methodism  and  for  the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  capital  of  Virginia 
than  James  A.  Duncan. 

From  the  fall  of  1860  he  was  the  editor-in-chief  of  the  Rich¬ 
mond  Christian  Advocate,  and  though,  when  Richmond  fell,  his 
paper  was  suspended  for  awhile  and  the  Episcopal  Methodist  was 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


121 


started  in  its  place,  he  soon  resumed  its  publication  and  drove 
that  formidable  competitor  from  the  field. 

The  readiness  and  versatility  of  his  talents  were  admirably 
displayed  in  his  editorial  office,  and  he  developed  a  marvelous 
genius  for  work,  for  while  taxed  and  burdened  with  many 
ministerial  and  Pastoral  duties,  he  not  only  wrote  the  editorials 
but  much  of  the  most  popular  and  enjoyable  correspondence 
that  enriched  the  columns  of  the  Advocate  during  these  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1866  he  was  assigned  to  the  pulpit  of  Wash¬ 
ington  street  church,  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  that  appreciative 
people,  among  whom  was  the  venerable  D’ Arcy  Paul,  of  precious 
memory,  never  tired  in  telling  of  the  rich  spiritual  feasts  on 
which  he  fed  his  flocks.  But  in  this  city  he  was  stricken  down 
with  a  severe  attack  of  malarial  fever, which  seriously  shattered  his 
nervous  system,  and  from  whose  ill-effects  he  very  slowly  recovered. 

In  the  summer  of  his  second  year  at  Washington  street  the 
Providence  of  God  called  him  to  a  wider  sphere  of  usefulness. 
By  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  large  and  influential  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Randolph  Macon  College,  he  was  elected  President 
of  his  beloved  Alma  Mater,  an  office  for  which  he  possessed  pre¬ 
eminent  qualifications  and  in  which  he  wrought  for  the  cause 
of  Christian  education  with  ability,  a  zeal  and  a  success  that 
gave  Randolph  Macon  a  foremost  place  in  the  sisterhood  of 
Southern  colleges,  secured  to  it  the  largest  patronage  it  ever 
received,  and  filled  its  halls  with  the  largest  number  of  students 
that  ever  sought  its  advantages  in  all  the  long  years  of  its 
history.  His  Presidency  marks  the  most  critical  era  in  the  life 
of  our  college.  When  after  the  fall  of  the  Southern  Confederacy 
this  institution  was  opened  at  the  old  site  near  Boydton,  the 
situation  was  very  embarrassing.  The  ante-bellum  endowment, 
though  not  entirely  lost,  was  seriously  impaired ;  the  old  loca¬ 
tion  was  neither  central  to  the  territory  of  the  patronizing 
conferences  nor  accessible  by  rail  from  any  direction.  The 
attendance,  therefore,  was  small,  and  the  outlook  was  distress¬ 
ingly  threatening.  Dr.  Duncan  saw  the  peril,  and  plead  for 
the  removal  of  the  College  to  its  present  and  most  eligible  site  at 
Ashland,  Va.  The  Board  of  Trustees  resolved  to  make  the 
experiment.  The  President  and  Faculty,  under  whose  adminis¬ 
tration  the  College  struggled  for  existence  a  few  years  at  the  old 
site,  resigned,  and  the  session  beginning  September,  1868,  was 
opened  at  Ashland  under  the  popular  Presidency  of  Dr.  Duncan, 
who  devoted  to  this  institution  the  last  nine  years  of  his  life. 

There  was  associated  with  him  a  Faculty,  not  inferior  in 
learning  and  aptness  in  the  art  of  teaching  to  that  of  any  other 


17 


122 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


college  in  the  land;  and  with  great  ability,  zeal,  and  self-denying 
devotion,  they  stood  by  their  appreciative  and  sympathetic  chief, 
and  worked  in  happy  accord  with  his  efforts  to  elevate  the  grade 
of  scholarship,  to  secure  the  most  thorough  instruction  in  every 
branch  of  study,  and  to  give  the  most  perfect  and  well-rounded 
culture  to  the  young  men  intrusted  to  their  care  and  training. 
And  in  addition  to  his  Presidential  duties,  Dr.  Duncan  filled  the 
chair  of  Moral  Philosophy  and  Biblical  Literature,  preached 
twice  every  Sunday  in  the  College  Chapel,  and  often  in  the 
midst  of  the  College  session,  he  hurried  off  to  preach  in  city  or 
country  at  the  call  of  the  churches  of  the  Virginia  and  Balti¬ 
more  Conferences,  and  to  raise  money  requisite  to  his  College 
work.  Nor  did  the  summer  vacation  bring  him  rest,  but  inces¬ 
santly  he  traveled  through  the  territory  of  the  patronizing  Con¬ 
ferences,  talking  with  the  preachers  and  people  on  the  claims 
of  the  College  and  the  cause  of  higher  education — all  in  the 
name  of  Christ,  and  for  the  glory  of  God.  In  labors  more 
abundant  he  spared  not  himself  and  was  never  reluctant  to  do 
any  good  work.  Everywhere  his  services  were  sought,  every¬ 
where  his  society  was  enjoyed,  everywhere  he  found  welcome  to 
the  hearts  and  homes  of  the  people. 

He  won  many  souls;  many  luke-warm  and  languishing 
Christians  were  revived  through  his  preaching,  and  no  man  of 
his  generation  so  strongly  impressed  the  religious  character  of 
our  churches  and  institutions  of  learning  as  did  he. 

His  personal  influence  with  the  members  of  the  Faculty 
and  the  students  of  the  College  was  almost  boundless.  On  this, 
more  than  on  rules  and  regulations,  he  relied  for  the  maintenance 
of  a  wise  paternal  government;  and  the  best  behavior  was  the 
result,  with  rare  exceptions.  His  power  to  uplift  the  fallen,  to 
strengthen  the  weak,  to  encourage  the  despondent,  to  sympathize 
with  the  afflicted,  and  to  make  men  see  what  he  saw  and  feel 
what  he  felt  made  him  an  accomplished  expert  in  the  difficult 
and  delicate  art  of  character  building;  and  thousands  whom  he 
converted  from  the  error  of  their  ways,  whom  he  led  to  Jesus, 
the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith,  whom  he  guided  by  judi¬ 
cious  counsel,  whom  he  cheered,  comforted  and  gladdened,  shall 
rise  up  at  the  last  day  and  call  him  blessed. 

His  brethren  of  the  Virginia  Conference,  who  knew  him 
best  and  loved  him  most  of  all,  delighted  to  honor  this  princely 
man  and  minister.  By  their  votes  he  was  elected  to  the  General 
Conference  of  1866,  of  1870,  and  of  1874.  In  that  of  1870 
which,  his  duties  at  the  College  prevented  him  from  attending, 
he  would  undoubtedly  have  been  elected  a  Bishop  had  he 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


123 


been  present.  Even  in  his  absence  he  would  have  been  chosen  to 
that  highest  office  in  the  gift  of  the  church  if  some  of  his 
Virginia  brethren  had  not  withheld  their  votes,  because,  as  they 
affirmed,  his  services  were  regarded  to  be  absolutely  essential  to 
the  success  of  Randolph  Macon  College.  But  notwithstanding 
that,  he  lacked  only  a  few  votes  of  being  selected.  The  conduct 
of  the  Virginia  delegates  who  defeated  his  election  was  not 
altogether  free  from  criticism,  but  the  reason  alleged  by  them 
was  highly  complimentary  to  Dr.  Duncan,  to  whom  the  mind 
of  the  whole  church  was  directed  as  one  most  worthy  and  well 
qualified  for  the  Episcopal  office. 

In  1876  he  was  a  Fraternal  messenger  from  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  south,  to  the  General  Conference  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  at  Baltimore,  Md.;  and  the  address  he  delivered  before 
that  august  body  of  representative  laymen  and  ministers  of  the 
Gospel  was  regarded  by  many  to  be  the  grandest  and  most 
thrilling  eloquence  that  ever  fell  from  the  lips  of  our  golden 
mouthed  orator. 

His  second  wife  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Wade,  a  daughter  of 
Dr.  William  A.  Wade,  a  minister  of  the  Baltimore  Conference, 
who  with  her  only  child,  a  lovely  daughter,  mourns  his  untimely 
death. 

In  the  summer  of  1876,  exhausted  by  ceaseless  toil  of  trav¬ 
eling  and  preaching  and  exposure  to  a  deadly  malarial  atmos¬ 
phere,  while  attending  a  series  of  meetings  in  the  valley  of  the 
south  branch  of  Potomac  River,  he  was  seized  by  a  fever,  with 
typhoid  tendencies,  and  he  lay  for  weeks  at  the  point  of  death. 
For  one  year  he  was  scarcely  fit  for  any  work,  and  though  he 
rallied  and  resumed  his  course  of  untiring  labor,  the  seeds  of 
disease  lurked  in  his  system,  and  often  developed  in  spells  of 
painful  illness.  Yet  he  worked  on  cheerfully,  energetically,  with 
self  consuming  zeal. 

The  summer  of  1877,  he  traveled  and  spoke  and  preached 
with  an  ardor,  power  and  success  fully  equal  to  his  happiest 
efforts  in  the  years  of  his  most  vigorous  manhood.  Sunday, 
Sept.  9th,  1877,  he  preached  the  sermon  at  the  re-opening  of 
of  Trinity  Church,  Baltimore  City.  That,  his  last  sermon,  was 
delivered  in  pain,  but  not  without  the  power  of  effective  elo¬ 
quence.  On  returning  to  his  Ashland  home  his  sufferings 
increased.  He  sat  up,  however,  a  part  of  each  day,  and  seemed 
not  to  suspect  that  his  end  was  so  near.  Monday  morning, 
Sept.  24th,  in  the  midst  of  his  family  and  loved  ones  he  quietly 
breathed  his  last.  His  venerable  father,  then  in  his  eightieth 
year,  was  present.  The  Angels  were  in  the  room.  The  Saints 


124 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


in  Heaven  gave  him  welcome  to  our  Father’s  House.  Oh,  the 
surprise,  the  grief,  the  severe  loss,  the  shock,  the  feeling  of  deso¬ 
lation,  his  death  produced!  Crowds  attended  his  funeral  at 
Broad  Street  Church,  Richmond,  which  by  a  marble  tablet  near 
the  pulpit  acknowledges  him  as  its  founder. 

Bishop  David  S.  Doggett,  D.D.,  conducted  the  solemn  and 
impressive  services.  Memorial  meetings  were  held  in  Rich¬ 
mond,  Petersburg  and  Baltimore  Cities,  and  eloquent  eulogies 
were  pronounced,  and  resolutions  in  high  praise  were  adopted 
by  Quarterly  Conferences  and  by  Faculties  of  Colleges  and 
Universities.  The  secular  and  religious  press  honored  his 
memory  with  heartfelt  tributes.  But  neither  tongue  nor  pen 
could  express  the  reverence  and  love  with  which  his  name  is 
cherished  in  thousands  of  hearts  and  homes  to-day.  Loving 
hands  laid  his  body  to  rest  in  Hollywood  Cemetery  with  his 
loved  ones,  and  an  imposing  monument  of  Virginia  granite, 
whose  polished  dies  bear  appropriate  inscriptions,  was  erected  by 
his  brethren  to  mark  the  spot  where  lies  his  sacred  dust,  and  to 
transmit  to  posterity  their  high  appreciation  of  him  whom  they 
loved  most  dearly. 

“  There  be  thy  rest,  till  He  bid  thee  arise 

To  hail  Him  in  triumph  descending  the  skies.” 

Ashland,  Va.,  March  7th,  1894. 

Copy  of  inscription  on  the  tablet  to  Dr.  Duncan  in  Broad 
Street  M.  E.  Church,  South,  Richmond,  Va.:  “Sacred  to  the 
memory  of  Rev.  James  A.  Duncan,  D.D.  Born  at  Norfolk,  Va., 
April  14,  1830.  Died  at  Ashland,  Va.,  Sept.  24,  1877.  The 
Founder  and  First  Pastor  of  this  Church.” 

Copy  of  inscription  on  the  monument  erected  over  his 
grave  in  Hollywood  Cemetery,  Richmond,  Va.  On  one  side  of 
shaft:  “Rev.  Jas.  A.  Duncan,  A.M.,  D.D.  Born  in  Norfolk,  Va., 
April  14,  1830.  Died  in  Ashland,  Va.,  September  24,  1877.” 
At  the  Base:  “Duncan.”  On  another  side  of  shaft:  “A  Minister 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South,  and  President  of  Randolph  Macon 
College.”  On  another  side:  “He  died  universally  beloved  and 
lamented.”  On  another  side:  “His  genius,  eloquence,  zeal  and 
and  piety,  made  him  a  burning  and  a  shining  light.” 

No.  139 

James  Fitts4  Twitty  was  born  May  4,  1848,  and  baptized 
by  Rev.  R.  0.  Burton,  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

When  only  five  years  old  his  mother  died  in  New  Orleans 
of  yellow  fever,  and  he  was  cared  for  in  his  youth  by  a  kind 


WILLIE  FITTS  4  (Thrower)  Scoggin 
No.  150 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


125 


uncle,  Mr.  Nathan  Milan,  of  Warren  Co.,  N.  C.,  as  a  calamitous 
financial  reverse  of  forture  had  rendered  his  father  unable  to 
provide  for  his  six  children.  At  an  early  age  he  joined  the 
M.  E.  Church  at  old  Mt.  Hebron.  His  consistent  Christian  con¬ 
duct,  bright  intellect  and  his  earnest  desire  to  obtain  an  educa¬ 
tion  attracted  the  attention  of  another  generous  uncle  of  ample 
means,  Mr.  Horace  Palmer,  who  took  him  to  his  home  with  the 
intention  of  giving  him  a  classical  education.  The  loss  of  his 
property  by  the  result  of  the  war  made  it  impossible  for  Mr. 
Palmer  to  carry  out  his  praiseworthy  resolution;  so  at  the  age 
of  seventeen,  James  remained  with  his  uncle  doing  farm  work.  De¬ 
termined  to  educate  himself  he  devoted  his  spare  time  to  study 
and  reading.  A  brother-in-law,  the  Rev.  James  A.  Duncan,  was 
in  full  sympathy  with  young  Twitty  in  his  heaven  reaching 
aspirations  to  be  wise  and  good,  and  took  him,  as  a  member  of 
his  family,  in  his  home  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  where  the  facilities 
for  self  education  were  greater.  He  prepared  himself  for  the 
ministry,  and  in  a  few  years  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Con¬ 
ference.  By  constant  study  and  faithful  devotion  to  his  Pastoral 
duties,  he  became  one  of  the  prominent  Ministers  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  in  the  State.  After  filling  many  of  the  most  important 
stations  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Peters¬ 
burg  District,  which  position  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill 
health,  about  twelve  months  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
Petersburg  on  the  12tli  of  July,  1892.  Having  married  Annie  Bea¬ 
man,  of  Murfreesboro,  N.  C.,  he  leaves  a  widow  with  six  children. 

No.  150 

Mary  Fitts  William4  Thrower,  the  youngest  grandchild 
of  Henry  Fitts2,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  May  24, 
1853 ;  baptized  in  infancy  by  Rev.  T.  B.  Reeks,  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  was  educated  by  Turner  M.  Jones,  D.D.,  at  the 
Female  College,  Louisburg,  in  Franklin  County,  N.  C.  She 
was  married  Dec.  13th,  1871,  to  George  Rogers  Scoggin,  of 
Virginia,  by  the  Rev.  R.  A.  Willis.  She  furnished  the  com¬ 
piler  of  these  genealogical  tables  with  most  of  the  data  in 
reference  to  the  North  Carolina  branch  of  the  Fitts  family, 
and  many  of  them  are  indebted  solely  to  her  that  their 
family  record  is  given.  For  her  cheerful  and  intelligent  assis¬ 
tance  the  author  makes  his  acknowledgment  in  his  “preface.” 

No.  151 

Mary  Emily  (Samuel  Alston4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver,  Henry') 
Fitts6  was  born  Feb.  28,  1840,  and  baptized  June  5,  1845,  by 


126 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


the  Rev.  N.  A.  Cravens.  She  was  educated  at  the  Methodist 
Female  College  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  and  was  confirmed  by  Rt. 
Rev.  William  M.  Green,  Bishop  of  Mississippi,  in  1861. 

She  kept  up  her  studies  and  music  after  graduation,  and 
rendered  great  service  to  her  parents,  in  teaching  her  younger 
sister  and  brothers.  She  resides  at  Roseland,  and  counsels  with 
her  wisdom  and  guides  with  her  love  the  members  of  the  family, 
all  of  whom,  like  herself,  have  remained  single  except  a  sister. 

No.  154 

James  Oliver  (Samuel  Alston',  James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1) 
Fitts6  was  born  in  Marengo  County,  Ala.,  near  Uniontown,  at 
the  family  home,  Roseland,  on  the  19th  of  December,  1846,  and 
was  baptized  June  13,  1848,  by  the  Rev.  W.  H.  McDaniel,  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  the  State 
University,  but  remained  there  only  one  year  before  he  left  to  join 
the  Confederate  Army,  feeling  that  it  was  his  duty  to  aid  in  the 
defense  of  the  South,  then  struggling  hard  for  her  freedom.  He 
was  attached  to  Gen.  Loring’s  division,  and  in  the  latter  part  of 
1864  was  selected  by  him  as  one  of  his  couriers,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  during  the  remainder  of  the  war. 

After  the  overthrow  of  the  Confederacy,  he  finished  his 
education  at  the  Washington  Lee  University,  Va.  (the  University 
of  Alabama  having  suspended  operations  on  account  of  the 
destruction  of  its  buildings  by  the  Federal  forces),  where  he 
remained  two  years.  On  his  return  home  he  began  the  study 
of  law  in  1868,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  but  the  death  of  his  father 
the  following  year  placed  in  his  hands  the  management  of  the 
estate,  which  occupied  his  entire  attention  for  the  next  fourteen 
years.  He  managed  the  large  estate  during  these  years,  keep¬ 
ing  up  the  plantation  and  making  annual  crops  of  corn  and 
cotton,  until  the  youngest  child  could  manage  his  interest, 
virtually  without  compensation.  In  acting  and  doing  for  his 
brothers  and  sisters  he  followed  the  noble  example  of  his  father. 
His  reports  and  final  settlement  as  administrator  of  the  estate, 
on  record  in  the  Probate  Court  of  Marengo  County,  give  unmis¬ 
takable  evidence  of  his  energj^,  ability  and  fidelity.  For  this 
unselfish  and  self-sacrificing  labor,  in  their  behalf,  he  richly 
deserved  the  thanks  and  gratitude  of  his  brothers  and  sisters. 
The  experience  gained  in  the  management  of  his  father’s  large 
estate,  rendered  him  both  an  excellent  farmer  and  a  splendid 
manager  of  free  negro  labor.  Instead  of  returning  to  the  law, 
he  accepted  a  position  offered  him  by  the  Calhoun  Company,  as 
manager  of  several  of  their  plantations,  on  the  Mississippi  River, 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


127 


near  Sunnyside,  Arkansas.  He  continued  in  the  service  of  the 
Calhoun  Company  for  seven  or  eight  years,  making  annually, 
on  the  plantations  under  his  charge,  from  1,200  to  1,500  bales 
of  cotton.  In  addition  to  paying  him  a  large  salary,  the  Cal¬ 
houn  Company  made  him  annually  a  handsome  and  costly 
present,  thus  showing  their  appreciation  of  his  ability  and 
fidelity.  While  in  the  employ  of  this  company  he  saved,  as  the 
result  of  his  own  individual  labor,  some  $10,000,  which  he 
invested  in  bonds  and  bank  stocks. 

With  a  view  of  establishing  himself  in  some  business  more 
congenial  to  his  tastes,  Mr.  Fitts,  in  1891,  took  a  full  course  in 
book-keeping  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  made  himself  highly 
proficient  in  this  department  of  business.  In  December  of  this 
year  he  determined  to  concentrate  his  capital,  amounting  now 
to  some  $15,000,  and  embark  in  some  enterprise  or  business. 
For  this  purpose  he  visited  Birmingham,  Ala.,  and  other  places, 
and  while  thus  traveling  around  he  contracted  a  violent  cold, 
which  terminated  in  a  severe  attack  of  rheumatism.  He  returned 
to  Roseland,  where  he  received  the  best  medical  treatment  and 
kindest  attention  of  loving  brothers  and  devoted  sisters,  but  after 
a  week’s  illness  the  disease  attacked  his  heart,  and  he  died  sud¬ 
denly  on  the  25th  of  February,  1892,  in  the  same  room  in  which 
he  was  born.  He  was  never  married.  He  was  buried  at  Union- 
town,  Ala.,  in  the  family  enclosure,  where  rests  the  remains  of 
a  sister,  three  brothers,  a  father  and  a  mother. 

No.  155 

Edward  Alston  (Samuel  Alston",  James  Harris3,  Oliver'3, 
Henry1)  Fitts6  was  born  Aug.  29,  1849,  and  baptized  March 
31,  1850.  He  was  confirmed  by  Co-Adjutor  Bishop  Jackson, 
April,  1892. 

He  is  a  successful  planter,  and  resides  in  Merango  County, 
Ala.,  near  Faunsdale. 


No.  156 

John  Henry  (Samuel  Alston",  James  Harris3,  Oliver3,  Henry') 
Fitts6  was  born  Oct.  5,  1852,  at  “  Roseland,”  in  Marengo 
County,  Ala.,  and  was  baptized  June  3,  1853,  by  Rev.  John  D. 
Fisher  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  was  graduated  at  the  Uni¬ 
versity  of  Alabama.,  with  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  in  the  class  of 
1874.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  one  who  was  more  exem¬ 
plary  in  his  college  life.  Studious  in  his  habits  and  circumspect 
in  action,  he  gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  Faculty. 
Modest  in  spirit,  gentle  in  manners,  in  duty  firm,  in  danger 


128  Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

“  calm  and  even,”  he  won  the  admiration  and  love  of  his  fellow- 
students. 

After  graduation  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  and  for 
several  years  assisted  his  brother  in  the  management  of  his 
father’s  estate.  He  never  made  choice  of  a  profession,  and 
during  his  leisure  devoted  himself  to  general  reading.  The 
favorite  of  the  household  he  was  appealed  to  as  an  umpire  by 
both  old  and  young,  and  the  kind  and  considerate  manner  in 
which  he  presented  his  reasons  to  sustain  any  decision,  rarely 
ever  failed  to  give  satisfaction  to  both  parties. 

When  twenty-seven  years  of  age  his  dying  mother  summoned 
her  sons  to  her  bedside  to  receive  her  last  advice  and  farewell  bless¬ 
ing,  and  as  he  knelt  beside  her  bed  she  gave  him  no  advice,  but 
blessed  him  in  these  words  :  “  My  good,  peaceful  boy,  who  has 

never  given  me  any  trouble.”  The  noblest  son  could  ask  no 
higher  endorsement  than  such  an  unqualified  approval  of  a  dying- 
mother. 

He  never  married,  and  died  on  the  23d  day  of  August,  1883, 
and  was  buried  in  the  family  enclosure,  in  the  cemetery  at 
Uniontown,  Ala. 

No.  157 

Cornelia  (Samuel  Alston4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1) 
Fitts6  was  born  in  Marengo  County,  Ala.,  at  “Roseland,”  the 
parental  home,  on  Dec.  24,  1854,  and  was  baptized  in  the 
Episcopal  Church,  Sept.  27,  1857,  by  the  Rev.  W.  P.  Harrison. 

She  married  Frank  Wharton  Gaines,  at  Roseland,  on  Dec. 
29,  1885.  Mr.  Gaines  was  a  hardware  merchant  of  Nashville, 
Tenn.  They  now  reside  in  Selma,  Ala.  They  have  one  child, 
Frank  Wharton  Gaines,  Jr. 


No.  159 

Waverly  (Samuel  Alston4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1) 
Fitts6  was  born  Feb.  15,  1861,  and  baptized  May  10,  1863,  by 
the  Rev.  J.  J.  Hutchinson. 

He  is  a  successful  planter  and  lives  near  Faunsdale,  Ala. 

No.  163 

Sidney  Fitts6  Leach  was  born  Nov.  14,  1841. 

He  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Alabama,  and  was 
made  one  of  the  cadet  Captains  when  the  military  feature  was 
attached  to  the  Institution.  He  was  graduated  with  the  degree 
of  A.B.  in  1860. 


Elizabeth  F.  (Fitts)  4  Leach  Emily  Alston  5  (Leach)  Carpenter 

Lizzie  Leach  g  (Carpenter)  James 

Edith  Whitaker  7  James 

Emilie  Carpenter  7  James 

No.  36  No.  436  No.  610  No.  164  No.  609 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


129 


He  entered  the  Confederate  Army  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War,  and  was  made  Ordnance  Sergeant  of  Fowler’s 
Battery,  which  was  attached  to  the  “Army  of  Tennessee.”  He 
served  with  this  company  during  the  war. 

He  was  confirmed  in  Christ  Church,  by  Bishop  Wilmer,  on 
April  28,  1867.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Lee  Peck,  daughter 
of  Judge  E.  W.  Peck,  on  Nov.  14,  1869.  She  died  Nov.  21, 
1883.  He  at  present  is  a  merchant. 

No.  164 

Emily  Alston6  Leach  was  born  Dec.  1,  1843,  and  baptized 
April  28,  1844. 

She  was  married  to  James  Slaughter  Carpenter,  of  Louis¬ 
ville,  Ky.,  on  April  3,  1865.  He  was  a  Captain  at  that  time  in 
the  Confederate  Army,  and  was  captured  in  Tuscaloosa,  April  3, 
1865,  soon  after  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed,  and 
paroled  by  a  Federal  Major. 

James  Slaughter  Carpenter,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  was  born  in 
Bardstown,  Ky.,  January  23,  1840,  and  was  educated  at  St. 
Joseph’s  College,  Bardstown,  and  at  Bethany  College,  Va.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  when  barely  of  age,  he  joined 
the  Confederate  Army  as  a  private,  9th  Kentucky  Infantry,  and 
was  appointed  a  Captain  in  the  Commissary  Department.  He 
married,  April  3d,  1865,  Miss  Emily  Alston  Leach,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Sewell  J.  and  Elizabeth  Fitts  Leach,  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala., 
and  was  captured  the  evening  of  his  marriage  by  General  Crox- 
ton,  of  the  Federal  Army  (who  was  making  a  raid  through 
that  section  a  few  days  before  the  close  of  the  war),  but  was 
paroled. 

Mr.  Carpenter  was  the  youngest  child  of  the  Hon.  Samuel 
and  Margaret  Bowie  Carpenter,  nee  Slaughter.  His  father  was 
an  Attorney  at  Law,  Kentucky  State  Senator,  and  Circuit  Judge. 
His  mother’s  father  was  Hon.  Robert  Slaughter,  of  Nelson 
County,  Ky.,  son  of  Col.  James  Slaughter,  of  Culpeper  County, 
Va.,  who  commanded  a  regiment  of  militia  at  the  battle  of  the 
Great  Bridge,  the  first  battle  of  the  Revolution  fought  on  Vir¬ 
ginia  soil.  Robert’s  oldest  brother,  Capt.  Phillip  Slaughter, 
joined  the  Revolutionary  Army  before  he  was  17  years  old,  and 
served  until  the  war  terminated.  Mr.  Carpenter’s  grandmother’s 
father  was  Col.  James  Pendleton,  Revolutionary  Army,  who 
married  a  daughter  of  Gov.  Robert  Bowie,  of  Maryland,  a  Cap¬ 
tain  in  the  Revolutionary  Army.  This  James  Pendleton  was  a 
son  of  James  Pendleton,  the  oldest  of  five  sons  of  Henry  and 
Mary  (Taylor)  Pendleton,  their  youngest  son  being  Judge 


18 


130  Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

Edmund  Pendleton,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  formerly  of  Carolina 
County,  Va. 

Mr.  Carpenter  has  been  for  thirty-two  years  General  Agent 
of  the  Connecticut  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  Hart¬ 
ford,  Conn.,  for  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  has  always  been 
noted  for  his  promptness  and  dispatch.  He  is  a  deacon  of  the 
First  Christian  Church,  at  Louisville,  and  a  member  of  the 
Louisville  Commandery  of  K.  T. 

No.  165 

Samuel  Thomas6  Leach  was  born  July  1,  1846,  and  bap¬ 
tized  May  10,  1847. 

He  joined  “Fowler’s  Battery,”  during  the  Civil  War,  as  a 
private,  at  the  age  of  16.  Was  Color  Bearer  of  that  company 
at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  proved  a  faithful  soldier.  He  is  a 
clerk  and  book-keeper  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

No.  173 

Joe  Evans6  Pegues  was  born  Dec.  13,  1854,  and  baptized 
by  Rev.  R.  D.  Nevius.  Mr.  Pegues  commenced  work  for  him¬ 
self  when  quite  young.  In  1871  he  was  made  Agent  of  the 
Southern  Express  Co.,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  and  continued  in  this 
capacity  until  1874,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to  attend  a  course 
of  study  at  Eastman’s  Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

After  finishing  his  studies  at  Poughkeepsie  he  accepted  a 
position  with  the  Southern  Express  Co.  again,  as  messenger  on 
the  U.  S.  &  T.  R.  R.  In  1880  he  accepted  a  situation  with  the 
U.  S.  Government  as  Paymaster  in  its  work  on  the  Coosa  River, 
Ala.,  and  continued  in  this  position  until  1883.  He  then 
resigned  to  accept  a  similar  position  with  the  U.  S.  Government 
in  its  work  on  the  Mississippi  River.  In  1886  he  resigned  his 
position  with  the  U.  S.  Government  and  returned  to  the  Southern 
Express  Co.,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  in  which  city  he  is  their  agent 
at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Pegues  was  married  to  Rosa  Rowen,  daughter  of 
Richard  Rowen,  Esq.,  on  Dec.  13,  1881.  They  have  five 
children.  In  all  the  positions  held,  he  has  sustained  the  char¬ 
acter  of  an  efficient  and  diligent  business  man. 

No.  174 

Samuel  Fitts6  Pegues  was  born  Dec.  8, 1858  ;  baptized  May 
21,  1860. 

He  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Alabama,  leaving 
there  in  1876,  one  year  before  graduating.  Fie  then  entered 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


131 


the  services  of  Berry  &  Son,  of  Rome,  Ga.,  as  bookkeeper.  After¬ 
wards  he  accepted  services  in  the  Civil  Engineering  Depart¬ 
ment  of  the  U.  S.  Government,  where  he  has  remained,  except 
during  the  four  years  when  he  was  Assistant  Circuit  Clerk  of 
Tuscaloosa  County,  Ala.  He  gave  up  the  position  of  Clerk  in 
1892  and  returned  to  the  Engineering  Department  of  the  Gov¬ 
ernment,  and  has  been  located  since  in  Chicago,  Ill. 

In  all  the  relations  of  life,  Mr.  Pegues  has  ever  borne  the 
character  of  a  diligent,  efficient  and  faithful  business  man,  and 
that  of  an  amiable,  high-toned  gentleman. 

In  1883  he  married  Mattie  Alexander,  of  Rome,  Ga.  They 
have  two  children. 

No.  175 

Ida6  Pegues  was  born  Oct.  2,  1860.  She  was  educated  in 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

She  was  married  to  Eugene  G.  Eaton,  on  Jan.  4, 1883.  He 
is  a  man  of  energy  and  intellect  and  is  engaged  in  the  Iron  and 
Lime  business.  They  have  three  children  and  reside  at  Rock 
Springs,  Ala. 

No.  176 

Charles  (William  Faulcon4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry') 
Fitts6  was  born  July  2,  1858,  and  baptized  Aug.  2,  1858,  in 
Christ  Church  (Episcopal),  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

He  was  educated  in  that  city,  spending  three  years  at  the 
University  of  Alabama. 

On  the  5th  of  January,  1887,  he  was  married  to  Flora 
Darner,  a  half-sister  to  Mrs.  White  Spunner,  who  is  at  this  time 
engaged  making  a  botanical  collection  of  the  Flora  of  Ireland. 

Mr.  Fitts  is  the  proprietor  of  the  principal  book-store  at 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  he  resides.  They  have  one  child. 

No.  177 

Lizzie  Faulcon  (William  Faulcon4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2, 
Henry1)  Fitts6,  born  Nov.  21,  1860,  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  was 
married  to  Benjamin  F.  Flinn  on  the  25th  of  January,  1881,  in 
the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  she  was  educated,  and  con¬ 
firmed  in  Christ  (Episcopal)  Church,  June  14,  1874. 

Mr.  B.  F.  Flinn  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ala.,  in 
1857.  He  entered  the  University  of  Alabama  in  1876,  and 
was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  the  class  of  1880. 
Selecting  the  law  as  his  profession,  he  entered  the  Law  School 
of  the  University  and  received  the  degree  of  L.  B.  B.  in  1881. 


132 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


He  lived  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  for  several  years,  and  was  one 
of  the  Projectors  and  Incorporators  of  the  Tuscaloosa  Cotton 
Seed  Oil  Mill. 

In  1885  he  removed  to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  and  the  following 
year  was  one  of  the  Representatives  of  Montgomery  County  in 
the  Legislature,  serving  in  the  session  of  1886-87.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  FI  inn  now  reside  in  Montgomery,  Ala. 

They  have  five  children,  two  daughters  and  three  sons. 

No.  178 

William  Faulcon  (William  Faulcon4,  James  Harris3,  Oli¬ 
ver,  Henry1)  Fitts6  was  born  March  12,  1863,  and  was  baptized 
May  15,  1863,  in  Christ  Church,  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  the  city  in 
which  he  was  educated. 

He  went  to  the  University  of  Alabama  for  two  years, 
1878-79. 

He  was  graduated  in  general  book-keeping  at  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.,  in  1882.  He  was  married  to  Helen  Wallace  McEachin, 
a  daughter  to  Col.  A.  B.  McEachin,  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  on  the 
6th  of  February,  1884. 

They  reside  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  and  have  no  children. 

No.  179 

William  Faulcon  (James  Harris4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2, 
Henry1)  Fitts6  was  born  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  on  Feb.  18,  1856  ; 
baptized  in  Christ  Church  (Episcopal)  of  the  same  city,  by  the 
Rector,  Rev.  John  D.  Easter,  on  May  30,  1867.  He  was  pre¬ 
sented  for  confirmation  by  the  Rector,  Rev.  George  H.  Hunt, 
and  confirmed  by  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese 
of  Alabama,  on  the  21st  of  May,  1871.  He  was  prepared  to 
enter  upon  a  collegiate  course  in  the  best  schools  of  Tuscaloosa, 
and  was  sent  by  his  parents  to  the  University  of  the  South, 
Sewanee,  Tenn.,  as  the  University  of  Alabama  had  not  been 
properly  organized,  after  the  destruction  of  its  buildings  by  the 
Federal  Army  during  the  war.  He  remained  at  the  University 
of  the  South  during  the  session  of  1872-73,  and  returned  to  the 
University  of  his  native  State  in  1874,  where  he  was  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1875. 

After  finishing  his  education  he  entered  the  Banking  House 
of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co.  as  a  clerk  and  book-keeper,  in  which  position 
he  had  some  experience,  and  in  1877  was  made  cashier.  On 
the  13th  of  September,  1876,  being  then  under  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  he  was  married  to  Annie  Spiller,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  James 
D.  Spiller,  who  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  merchant  of 


Annie  (Spiller)  Fitts  Frank  Fitts  15  William  F.  Fitts  5 

Wife  of  No.  179  No.  472  No.  179 

Mary  Emily  Fitts0 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


133 


Tuscaloosa,  the  marriage  ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev. 
George  H.  Hunt.  She  was  born  May  18,  1857,  baptized  March 
9,  1877,  and  confirmed  by  Bishop  Wilrner,  in  Christ  Church. 
Being  an  accomplished  musician,  and  having  a  highly  cultivated 
voice,  she  soon  became  a  member  of  the  choir,  and  for  the  past 
twelve  years  she  has  rarely  missed  a  service  unless  detained  by 
sickness. 

One  incident  in  the  early  life  of  Mr.  Fitts  is  worthy  of  being 
recorded.  During  his  boyhood  he  was  considered  thoughtless, 
and  in  some  things  wanting  in  stability  of  purpose.  In  one 
essential  matter,  however,  he  exhibited  wonderful  forethought 
and  remarkable  stability  of  purpose.  When  about  ten  years  of 
age  he  said  to  his  father :  “  There  are  some  things  I  never 
intend  to  do.  I  never  intend  to  smoke,  chew  or  drink.”  His 
father  replied :  “  My  son,  I  do  not  propose  to  pay  you  for 

keeping  that  promise,  but  if  acting  upon  principle,  you  do 
abstain  from  smoking,  chewing  and  drinking,  until  you  are 
twenty-one  years  old,  I  will  make  you  a  present  of  $1,000  in 
gold.”  He  faithfully  observed  this  self-imposed  obligation,  and 
after  thanking  his  father,  when  the  amount  was  presented  to 
him,  he  remarked :  “  I  certainly  made  this  money  very  easy. 

Would  like  to  do  it  again.  I  do  not  intend  to  smoke,  chew  or 
drink  for  the  next  ten  years.”  Although  he  was  offered  no 
additional  present  to  abstain  he  is  now  nearly  thirty-eight  years 
of  age,  and  has  never  used  tobacco  in  any  form,  nor  taken  a 
drink  of  any  kind  of  intoxicating  liquors. 

As  stated,  Mr.  Fitts  became  Cashier  in  the  Banking  House 
of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co.,  in  1877,  his  father  having  given  him  an 
interest  in  the  Bank,  and  he  has  held  that  office  continuously  to 
this  date.  By  his  energy  and  zeal  he  has  largely  contributed  to 
the  success  of  the  Bank  of  which  he  is  now  a  member.  He  has 
frequently  had  entire  control  of  the  Bank  for  weeks  at  a  time, 
during  his  father’s  absence  in  the  interest  of  the  “  Tuscaloosa 
Cotton  Mills,”  or  on  extended  visits  to  the  North. 

Mr.  Fitts  had,  at  all  times,  the  entire  control  of  the  Insur¬ 
ance  Department,  consisting  of  several  agencies,  both  life  and 
fire,  held  by  the  Bank.  He  has  managed  this  department  with 
energy,  ability  and  success.  After  the  death  of  his  brother, 
Festus  Fitts6,  he  was  made  President  of  the  Tuscaloosa  Cotton 
Mills,  which  position  he  held  till  its  destruction  by  fire  in  1897. 

No.  181 

Festus  (James  Harris4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver,  Henry1) 
Fitts6  was  born  in  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  Feb.  15,  1859  ; 


134 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


baptized  in  Christ  Church,  May  30,  1867,  by  the  Rev.  John  D. 
Easter ;  presented  for  confirmation  by  the  Rev.  George  H.  Hunt, 
and  confirmed  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer,  on  the  first  of 
June,  1873. 

He  was  prepared  for  college  in  the  schools  of  the  city, 
entered  the  University  of  Alabama  in  September,  1874,  and  was 
appointed  Adjutant  of  the  Corps  of  Cadets  that  year  by  Col.  T.  C. 
McCorvey,  then  Commandant,  who  desired  him  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  that  office  the  succeeding  year,  but  this  he  declined  to 
do,  accepting  the  alternative  presented  of  being  returned  to 
ranks. 

Although  he  was  thus  reduced  to  ranks  at  the  commence¬ 
ment  of  his  second  collegiate  year,  his  promotion  subsequently 
was  rapid.  When  he  was  graduated,  in  1878,  with  the  degree 
of  A.M.,  he  held  the  highest  office  in  the  Corps — Captain  of 
Company  A. 

After  being  graduated  in  the  Academic  Department  of  the 
University  of  Alabama,  his  father  was  very  anxious  for  him  to 
take  the  Law  Course  in  that  Institution,  and  enter  the  legal 
profession,  and  used,  every  argument  to  persuade  him  to  do  so, 
but  he  persistently  refused,  preferring  to  take  the  position  as 
book-keeper  in  the  Bank  of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co. 

He  held  this  position  until  the  fall  of  1879,  when  the 
“Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills”  was  organized  with  a  capital  of 
$40,000,  with  Mr.  Leroy  A.  Douglas  as  President  and  Festus 
Fitts,  Secretary  and  Treasurer;  his  father  giving  him  $5,000 
stock  in  the  company  as  a  part  of  his  patrimony.  Mr.  Douglas 
had  been  a  book-keeper  in  Mobile  for  many  years,  and  was  a 
very  skillful  and  accomplished  accountant;  but  he  was  not  suc¬ 
cessful  as  a  manufacturer,  and  after  the  first  year  resigned  the 
Presidency.  During  this  year  he  instructed  Mr.  Fitts  in  book¬ 
keeping,  which  rendered  him  very  expert,  and  subsequently 
proved  of  great  value,  both  to  him  and  the  company.  Mr.  Fes¬ 
tus  Fitts  was  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  “  The  Tuscaloosa  Cot¬ 
ton  Mills  ”  from  its  organization  to  the  date  of  his  death,  and 
much  of  the  splendid  success  of  that  company,  during  the 
administration  of  his  father,  as  President,  was  due  to  his 
ability  as  a  business  man  and  his  superior  qualifications  as  an 
accountant. 

In  1880  he  was  elected  Captain  of  the  Warrior  Guards  of 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  a  military  company  of  great  renown,  and  as 
Captain  of  this  company  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  State 
in  quelling  the  mob  at  Birmingham,  Ala.,  in  1883.  During  this 
year  he  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  the  State,  one  of  his 


COL.  FESTUS  FITTS 
No.  i  S  x 


ANNALEE  (Taylor)  FITTS 
Wife  of  No.  [Si 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


135 


Staff  Officers,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel.  The  following  year  he 
resigned  both  of  the  military  positions  on  account  of  increasing 
business  cares  and  the  earnest  desire  of  his  wife. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Annalee 
Taylor  (generally  called  “Nannie”)  in  Christ  Church,  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Stringfellow.  She  was  born  in  Mobile, 
Ala.,  May  23,  1864;  baptized  in  infancy  by  Rev.  John  Massey, 
in  Trinity  Church,  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  confirmed  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
R.  H.  Wilmer,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Alabama,  April  16th, 
1884,  in  Christ  Church,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.  She  was  the  young¬ 
est  daughter  of  Mr.  John  T.  Taylor,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  Mobile, 
Ala.,  and  Nancy  (Curry)  Taylor,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  David  Curry, 
who  was  Sheriff  of  Marengo  County,  Ala.,  for  many  years. 

Mr.  John  T.  Taylor’s  rapid  elevation  is  a  striking  illustra¬ 
tion  of  the  achievement  of  a  detei'mined  energy  and  brilliant 
intellect.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  a  poor  office  boy  in  a 
commission  house  in  Mobile,  and  when  he  reached  the  age  of 
sixty  he  had  represented  Mobile  County  twice  in  the  State  Leg¬ 
islature,  and  had  twice  refused  to  give  up  his  lucrative  law 
practice  to  accept  an  appointment  on  the  Bench  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Alabama.  In  sketching  the  public  men  of  Alabama, 
Col.  Brewer  says  of  him:  “He  was  a  forcible  speaker,  a  profound 
lawyer,  and  a  gentleman  of  many  virtues  and  lofty  traits  of 
character.” 

He  met  a  singular  death.  While  out  horse  back  riding  in 
Mobile,  in  1880,  his  horse  stumbled  and  fell,  and  Mr.  Taylor 
falling  on  his  head  had  his  neck  broken. 

Col.  Festus  Fitts  became  a  partner  in  the  Banking  House 
of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co.,  in  1887,  and  was  soon  after  made  Assistant 
Cashier.  In  1890  he  was  elected  one  of  the  six  Aldermen  of 
the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  receiving  more  votes  than  any  other 
candidate. 

His  untimely  death  was  no  less  a  shock  to  his  devoted 
family  than  to  the  whole  community  of  Tuscaloosa,  where  he 
was  so  highly  esteemed.  He  died  of  Typhoid  Fever,  at  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  Ala.,  on  Aug.  6,  1896. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  tributes  of  respect  paid  to  his 
memory.  Speech  of  Capt.  W.  W.  Brandon,  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala., 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  Memorial  Service  by  the  Knights  of 
Pythias : 

“  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  and  Brother  Knights : 

There  has  always  been  a  disposition  among  men  to  honor 
their  dead,  to  linger  with  mournful  pleasure  upon  the  recollec- 


136 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


tions  of  their  virtues  and  to  speak  of  their  merits  in  tenderest 
terms  of  commendation.  The  sentiment  is  coeval  with  our  race, 
and  will  continue  to  the  end  of  time.  It  is  peculiar  to  no  clime  ; 
it  is  confined  to  no  class  ;  it  is  limited  to  no  condition  of  life  ;  it  is 
common  to  humanity  everywhere ;  it  is  mate  with  every  mem¬ 
ber  of  our  species  who  is  capable  of  the  slightest  feeling  of 
respect  for  his  fellowmen.  It  works  itself  upon  expression  in 
the  simple  ceremonies  that  attend  the  unobtrusive  sepultures  of 
the  peasant  and  the  solemn  pomp  that  awaits  the  imposing 
obsequies  of  the  King.  Its  memorials  are  seen  alike  in  the 
fading  wreath  that  exhales  its  dying  fragrance  upon  the  obscure 
grave  of  humble  poverty  and  the  sculptured  column  that  lifts  its 
head  above  tire  mouldering  dust  of  departed  grandeur.  It  has 
brought  us  here  to-day  to  offer  with  one  accord  the  tributes  of 
affectionate  admiration  to  the  memory  of  one  who  is  endeared 
to  us  by  the  strongest  ties  of  friendship  and  fraternity,  and  to 
all  by  the  magnanimity  and  generosity  of  his  nature.  He  is 
not  absent  who  is  not  forgotten.  In  this  sense  Festus  Fitts  is 
with  us  to-day  ;  though  he  has  crossed  the  dark  murky  waters 
of  death,  his  sweet  spirit  lingers  with  us  here.  This  man  whose 
loss  we  mourn  and  to  whom  these  weak  tributes  of  love  and 
esteem  are  being  paid,  was  born  in  our  midst.  Tuscaloosa  was 
his  native  town,  and  from  his  advent  to  his  departure  his  form 
and  face  were  familiar  to  all.  In  boyhood  he  played  over  the 
same  hills  that  in  manhood  he  hunted  over.  Along  the  banks 
of  the  Warrior  his  boyish  laughter  could  have  been  heard  where 
in  after  years  the  spindles  of  a  great  factory  should  be  controlled 
by  his  mind.  His  venerable  father  gave  to  him  a  good  educa¬ 
tion,  and  it  may  be  truly  said  of  him,  for  the  emulation  of  his 
aspiring  young  countrymen,  that  every  fibre  and  tissue  of  his 
soul  was  inspired  by  that  golden  truth  :  ‘  That  in  the  Lexicon 

of  youth,  which  fate  reserves  for  a  bright  manhood,  there  is  no 
such  word  as  fail.’ 

He  realized  that  labor  was  the  only  talisman  of  success ; 
he  ate  no  idle  bread;  he  flung  away  no  priceless  moment. 
While  he  was  alive  to  all  boyish  sports,  he  was  also  awake  to 
the  necessary  faculties  for  making  a  man. 

As  a  boy  he  was  loved  by  his  playmates  and  respected  by 
his  tutors. 

Next  he  appears  before  us  as  a  young  man,  popular  and 
gentle ;  ready  to  do  a  good  deed  and  equally  as  quick  to  frown 
upon  an  evil  one. 

He  was  chosen  by  the  young  men  of  that  famous  military 
company,  the  Warrior  Guards,  as  their  Captain,  and  to  this  good 


ARTHUR  LEONARD  FITTS  15 
No.  474 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


137 


hour  the  older  men  of  this  command  speak  with  peculiar  pride 
of  their  former  Captain  Fitts.  He  was  deservedly  popular  and 
loved  by  all  young  men,  and  in  the  Warrior  Guards  he  felt  a 
deep  and  abiding  interest.  In  sunshine  and  in  storm,  in  and 
out  of  ranks  he  was  their  constant  friend,  their  companion  — 
most  devoted  and  true.  After  all,  whether  as  youth  or  young 
man,  the  dearest  memory  to  those  of  us  who  knew  him  best, 
who  had  felt  the  presure  of  his  hand,  and  seen  the  sunlight  of 
face,  is  the  man  himself. 

When  he  laid  down,  for  awhile,  the  heavy  burden  of  his 
business,  and  left  his  books  in  his  counting  room  and  turned 
away  from  the  intricate  problems  of  the  day,  to  seek  companion¬ 
ship  of  friends,  the  man  himself  was  seen  as  he  came  from  the 
plastic  hand  of  God;  just  as  the  flower  imprisoned  in  the  folded 
calyx  is  seen  when  it  uncovers  its  blushing  beauty  to  the  wooing 
of  the  sun.  How  genial  and  companionable  he  was,  how  full  of 
life,  of  the  glad  joy  of  life,  he  sometimes  seemed  to  be  a  very  boy 
except  in  years,  scattering  sunshine  and  gladness  along  the  way. 

Though  his  nature  was  eminently  manly  and  every  trace 
of  effeminancy  was  foreign  to  it,  yet  in  his  mental  and  moral 
make-up  he  was  as  finely  fibred  as  a  woman.  The  possessor  of  a 
clear  judgment  and  a  strong  will,  yet  he  was  impressible.  All 
the  sweet  and  mystic  influences  of  nature  reached,  moved  him, 
and  like  an  instrument  of  music  he  was  responsive  to  the  slight¬ 
est  touch  of  fancy  or  of  feeling. 

But  it  was  not  all  these  things,  however,  that  most  endeared 
him  to  those  who  knew  and  loved  him  most.  It  was  the 
milder  glow  of  those  gentler  virtues  that  lit  up  his  private 
character  with  the  lambient  purity  of  the  stars.  The  incarna¬ 
tion  of  personal  honor,  the  very  soul  of  sincerity,  constantly 
overflowing  with  the  milk  of  human  kindness,  free  from  envy, 
hatred,  malice  and  all  uncharitableness. 

His  social  relations  were  of  the  purest,  gentlest,  loveliest 
type,  constantly  illustrated  by  the  most  generous  self-abnegation 
and  unremitting  thoughtfulness  of  others.  No  tender  plea  for 
the  sake  of  sweet  Charity  ever  fell  upon  his  ear,  whether  from 
the  humble  beggar  upon  the  street,  or  from  the  promoter  of  some 
laudable  work  of  public  benefaction,  but  that  his  purse  was 
instantly  open  and  his  most  active  sympathies  immediately 
enlisted.  He  loved  the  beautiful  and  good,  the  tints  of  flowers, 
the  exquisite  shading  of  a  bush,  the  golden  glory  of  an  autumnal 
sunset,  the  swelling  symphony  of  the  sea,  the  glee  and  merry 
prattle  of  childhood.  Such  things  as  these  touched  his  soul  as 
with  the  magic  wand  of  sweet  enchantment. 


19 


138 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Such  was  the  man  we  loved,  and  we  loved  him  all  the  more 
because  we  knew  that  behind  all  this  native  gentleness,  behind 
all  this  charming  companionableness,  was  the  strong,  masculine 
man,  who  was  not  slothful  in  business.  Such  was  the  man  we 
loved,  such  was  the  man  we  lament.  He  goes  away  into  the 
mystic  summerland,  taking  with  him  the  blessings  of  his  friends, 
and  leaving  behind  him  a  good  name. 

In  his  death  our  town  lost  one  of  its  best  citizens.  Alive, 
alert  and  active,  always  to  the  front  in  every  move,  looking  to 
the  upbuilding  of  our  town,  and  ready  at  all  times  to  lend  his 
aid  and  influence  in  the  development  of  our  resources  and  bring 
commerce  and  trade  into  our  midst.  But  he  never  “  crooked 
the  supple  hinges  of  the  knee  that  thrift  might  follow  fawning.” 
He  bowed  to  no  behest,  but  the  imperious  dictates  of  his  own 
honest  and  enlightened  judgment.  As  a  man  and  a  citizen,  I 
could  speak  of  the  deserved  merits  of  our  departed  brother  for 
hours.  But  for  what  Tuscaloosa  has  lost  in  Festus  Fitts,  as  a 
promoter  of  public  interests,  I  have  but  to  point  to  yonder 
circling  column  of  smoke  that  wends  it  way  heavenward,  or  bid 
you  list  to  the  machinery  under  yonder  hill,  which  are  but 
fitting  memorials  to  his  worth  as  a  citizen.  Ah,  yes  ;  go  where 
you  will  and  learn  from  the  lips  of  our  people  that  Tuscaloosa 
has  buried  one  of  its  best  beloved  citizens. 

But  above  all  this  worth  as  a  citizen  shines  the  great¬ 
ness  of  his  heart.  The  poor  have  lost  a  friend,  the  rich  have 
lost  a  counselor,  and  even  the  sweet  children  of  our  town  have 
lost,  in  him,  a  companion,  who  listened  to  their  childish 
laughter  with  a  heart  full  of  love  and  tender  sympathy.  He 
loved  to  please  the  little  folks,  and  how  often  have  we  seen  him 
gather  them  to  him,  showing  the  tenderness  of  his  great  arm 
and  pulsing  heart.  He  will  always  be  remembered  for  the  best 
portion  of  a  good  man’s  life,  for  his  little  nameless,  unnumbered 
acts  of  kindness  and  of  love. 

True  all  this  has  been  said  of  him  as  a  man  and  as  a  citizen. 
What  of  him  as  a  Knight  of  Pythias  ?  Representing,  as  I  do 
this  noble  body  of  men,  who  have  for  their  motto  the  betterment 
of  mankind,  I  would  be  unfaithful  to  my  trust  did  I  not  mention 
our  departed  brother,  as  a  member  of  our  order.  He  was  true 
to  himself,  true  to  his  order,  true  to  his  church,  and  true  to  his 
God.  He  practiced  among  his  brethern,  inside  and  out  of  the 
lodge-room,  that  friendship  that  bound  Damon  to  Pythias. 
And  then  again  how  tender  was  he  where  sorrow  folded  her 
sombre  wings  and  broods  about  the  homes  and  hearts  of  those 
he  loved.  In  his  presence  sadness  seemed  less  sad,  and  a  softer 


ANNALEE  L.  FITTS 
No.  475 


Fills  or  Fitz  Family 


139 


light  crept  in  among  the  shadows.  For  whatever  he  said  or  did 
there  was  something  so  like  the  melting  music  of  woman’s 
voice,  and  the  delicate  touch  of  woman’s  hand.  Ah,  my 
brethren,  we  have  indeed  lost  one  whom  we  loved  and  confided 
in.  ’Tis  sad  to  think  the  silver  cord  is  loosed,  the  golden  bowl 
is  broken.  But  let  us  emulate  the  example  of  our  worthy  repre¬ 
sentative  who  but  precedes  us  to  the  Great  Castle  Hall  above. 
It  has  been  said  :  “  Wise  were  the  kings  who  never  chose  a 

friend  until  they  had  unmasked  his  soul  and  seen  the  bottom  of 
his  deepest  thoughts.”  As  a  Knight  of  Pythias  we  knew  our 
departed  brother ;  we  had  seen  into  his  inmost  soul,  and  found 
there  all  the  requisites  for  a  true  Knight  abundant  in  him. 
Brave,  he  was  a  lover  of  the  right ;  the  foe  forever  of  the  wrong  ; 
ready  to  do  all  and  dare  all  for  truth.  Only  stainless  garments 
befit  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  He  lived  up  to  the  lessons  taught 
by  our  order,  and  words  of  counsel  and  of  cheer  fell  from  his 
lips  like  rays  of  light  from  a  Heaven  of  peace.  For  him  there 
is  no  death.  Immortal,  he  lives  forever. 

“  There  is  no  death,  but  angel  forms 

Walk  o’er  the  earth  with  silent  tread. 

They  bear  our  best  loved  things  away 
And  then  we  call  them  dead. 

“  But  ever  near  us,  though  unseen, 

The  dear  immortal  spirits  tread. 

For  all  the  boundless  Universe, 

Is  life  —  there  are  no  dead.” 


Resolutions  adopted  by  Tuscaloosa  Lodge,  No.  38,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Festus  Fitts  : 

There  is  a  missing  link  in  the  chain  of  our  Pythian 
Knighthood,  Festus  Fitts,  that  noble  and  chivalric  Knight, 
upon  whose  shield  was  inscribed  as  his  life’s  motto,  in  bright 
letters  of  truth,  honesty  and  uprightness,  has  been  transferred 
to  the  Castle  Hall  above,  where  only  the  pure  in  heart  are  sum¬ 
moned  for  enlistment,  where  the  battle  axe  is  at  rest,  where  the 
pearly  gates  open  into  eternal  streets  of  glittering  gold.  It  is 
hard  to  realize  that  one  whose  familiar  face  upon  the  streets  and 
in  the  counting-room  has  brightened  our  lives  continually,  has 
passed  away  from  our  midst  forever. 

He  will  be  missed  from  the  factory,  under  the  hill,  where 
for  nearly  twenty  years  he  served  faithfully  as  its  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  Its  every  employe,  during  that  entire  time,  knew 
him  but  to  love  him,  in  return  for  the  consideration  and  high 
respect  he  held  toward  even  its  youngest  employe.  He  will  be 


140 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


missed  from  the  Bank,  where  for  twenty  years  he  was  the 
efficient  assistant  cashier. 

Looking  back  upon  the  many  transactions  in  which  he  has 
figured  during  his  past  business  life;  transactions  that  tried  and 
tested  him  fully,  he  has  proved  himself  at  all  times  and  under 
all  circumstances  to  have  been  the  very  soul  of  honor.  Of  him 
it  can  be  said,  that  he  was  faithful  to  every  trust.  His  name 
will  be  sadly  missed  from  our  Pythian  roll.  On  the  day  of  his 
death,  if  we  had  been  called  upon  to  select  from  among  our 
number  one  whose  life  for  the  past  few  years  has  been  conspicu¬ 
ous  for  its  gentleness,  loveliness  and  purity — one  whom  we 
delighted  to  meet  as  a  Pythian  Knight — we  would  all,  doubt¬ 
less,  have  agreed  upon  the  pure  and  unsullied  name  of  Festus 
Fitts,  which  towers  to  a  mountainous  height  among  his  fellow 
men,  for  faithfulness  in  everything,  for  sterling  worth  and  the 
highest  integrity.  From  the  immediate  home  circle  which 
knew  him  far  better  than  we,  where  he  lived  so  affectionately, 
so  devotedly  as  brother,  son,  husband  and  father,  he  will  be 
missed  indeed. 

Festus  Fitts  triumphantly  departed  this  life  on  the  6th  day 
of  August,  1896.  He  had  faithfully  filled  many  positions  of 
honor  and  trust.  He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of 
Alabama  as  Senior  Captain  in  1878,  with  high  honors.  For 
several  years  he  was  the  gallant  Captain  of  the  Warrior  Guards. 
He  had  served  the  city  as  one  of  the  first  trustees  of  its  present 
public  school. 

In  testimony  of  the  great  esteem  in  which  the  character  of 
our  deceased  brother  was  held  by  the  members  of  the  Lodge, 

Resolved,  1st,  That  we  feel  that  the  death  of  our  distin¬ 
guished  brother  is  a  public  calamity. 

2d,  That  in  his  death  this  Lodge  has  lost  a  noble  son,  whose 
virtues  we  will  ever  remember  with  peculiar  pride,  whose  exam¬ 
ple  we  would  imitate,  and  whose  memory  we  would  keep  fra¬ 
grant  with  pleasant  remembrances  of  a  life  so  charitable  and  so 
beautiful. 

3d,  That  we  extend  to  the  grief  stricken  family  of  our  late 
brother  our  most  heartfelt  sympathy  in  this  sad  hour,  and  that 
a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  them. 

4th,  That  these  resolutions  be  published  in  the  Tuscaloosa 
Times,  Tuscaloosa  Gazette,  and  the  West  Alabama  Breeze. 

5th,  That  the  usual  badge  of  mourning  be  worn  by  our 
members  for  thirty  days. 

6th,  That  a  separate  page  in  the  minute  record  of  this 


JAMES  HARRIS  FITTS'1 
No.  476 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


141 


Lodge  be  set  apart  in  memory  of  our  late  brother,  and  these 
resolutions  recorded  thereon. 


“  One  of  Our  Best  Men  Gone  ” 


From  the  Tuscaloosa  Gazette 


One  of  the  purest  and  best  citizens  that  Tuscaloosa  ever 
proudly  claimed,  passed  away  yesterday  evening  when  the  soul 
of  Festus  Fitts  ceased  its  struggles  in  an  unequal  conflict  and 
calmly  went  into  rest.  The  news  came  as  a  shock  to  the  com¬ 
munity  by  all  of  whom  he  was  so  greatly  esteemed.  The  sor¬ 
row  at  his  untimely  death  is  universal,  for  Tuscaloosa  had  no 
more  popular  son  than  he. 

Mr.  Fitts  was  only  thirty-seven  years  old,  but  he  had 
already  established  among  business  men  and  the  people  at  large 
a  most  enviable  reputation  for  sagacity  and  wisdom.  He  was  a 
wonderful  man  when  it  came  to  work.  It  was  frequently  said 
that  Festus  Fitts  did  more  work  than  any  other  person  in  Tus¬ 
caloosa. 

He  had  been  Cashier  of  the  Banking  House  of  J.  H. 
Fitts  &  Co.  for  several  years,  and  to  the  work  devolving  upon 
him  in  the  Bank,  he  added  the  arduous  duties  of  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  and  General  Manager  of  The  Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills. 
The  success  of  this  latter  institution  is  largely  due  to  his  skillful 
management.  With  all  his  business  capacity  he  combined  man¬ 
ners  so  genial  and  pleasant  that  everybody  who  knew  him  liked 
him.  The  factory  hands,  business  men,  all  people  of  high  or 
low  degree  esteemed  him,  and  it  was  deserved  esteem,  for  he  was 
just  to  a  fault,  yet  generous  in  his  dealing  with  everyone.  He 
was  charitable  and  kind,  and  a  man  whom  the  world  knew 
could  always  be  relied  upon  to  do  the  right  and  maintain  it. 

While  in  public  life  he  was  honored  and  esteemed,  it  was 
his  home  life  he  loved  the  best,  and  he  was  truly  an  ideal  man 
in  his  family  circle.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Annalee  Taylor 
in  1883.  Three  children  bless  this  union:  Arthur  Leonard, 
Annalee  and  James  Harris. 

At  the  bedside  when  the  end  came  were  his  devoted  wife 
and  children;  his  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Fitts;  his  brother, 
Mr.  W.  F.  Fitts,  and  his  two  sisters,  Mrs.  S.  F.  Alston  and  Mrs. 
Walton  Hill.  These  near  and  dear  ones  have,  in  their  affliction, 
the  deepest  sympathy  of  the  whole  city. 

His  death  is  a  public  loss,  for  his  life  was  noble,  unselfish 


142 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


and  useful  to  an  extent  we  will  realize  only  the  more  deeply  as 
we  miss  him  more  and  more  from  those  places  where  we  have 
been  accustomed  to  see  him. 

God  grant  that  His  infinite- love  will  bring  peace  to  all 
hearts  crushed  by  this  blow. 

“  A  Lamentable  Death.” 

From  the  Tuscaloosa  Times. 

Universal  sorrow  hovered  over  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa  and 
community  at  large,  when  the  death  of  Mr.  Festus  Fitts  was 
announced  last  Thursday  evening.  On  all  sides  men  were  pro¬ 
claiming  :  “  They  had  lost  their  best  friend.”  Although  cut 

down  in  the  very  prime  of  life,  Mr.  Fitts  had  made  a  record  and 
reputation  of  which  any  man  should  feel  proud.  Deceased  was 
only  thirty-seven  years  old.  He  held  the  position  of  Cashier  of 
the  Bank  of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co.,  and  was  also  Secretary  and  Gen¬ 
eral  Manager  of  the  Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills. 

He  was  a  universal  favorite  with  both  rich  and  poor.  No 
one  could  say  ought  against  him.  Obliging,  accurate,  con¬ 
scientious  and  gentle  in  his  every  act.  He  was  an  honor  man 
of  the  University,  a  former  Captain  of  the  Warrior  Guards  and 
a  prominent  Pythian  Knight.  Of  a  truth  his  life  was  of  good 
deeds.  His  soul  rests  in  peace.  To  the  sorely  afflicted  family 
we  extend  our  heart-felt  sympathy.  Why  a  merciful  Savior 
inflicted  such  a  severe  blow  on  this  happy  family  is  difficult  for 
mortal  man  to  understand ;  but  He  never  makes  a  mistake,  and 
it  will  all  be  made  plain  to  us  some  day.  Let  us  submit  to  His 
holy  will  without  a  murmur. 

The  funeral  of  Mr.  Fitts  yesterday  morning  was  one  of  the 
most  imposing  and  one  of  the  saddest  that  has  occurred  in 
Tuscaloosa  in  a  long  while.  The  services  were  at  nine  o’clock 
at  Christ  Church,  of  which  deceased  was  a  consistent  member. 
The  business  houses  of  the  city  were  all  closed  during  the  hours 
of  the  funeral,  and  the  concourse  of  sorrowing  friends  at  the 
church  filled  the  house  to  its  utmost  capacity,  many  being 
unable  to  find  seats. 

The  Knights  of  Pythias,  to  which  order  Mr.  Fitts  belonged, 
attended  in  a  body.  The  impressive  services  were  conducted  by 
Rev.  W.  C.  Whitaker,  as  Chaplain  of  Knights  of  Pythias.  The 
interment  was  in  Evergreen  Cemetery,  and  the  carriages  of  the 
procession  extended  for  blocks.  After  the  prescribed  services  of 
the  church  were  concluded  at  the  grave,  Rev.  Mr.  Whitaker,  as 
Chaplain  of  the  Knights,  read  the  impressive  ceremony  of  the 
order. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


143 


The  grave  was  sealed  with  marble  slabs,  which  were  almost 
entirely  hid  from  view  by  the  multitude  of  beautiful  flowers, 
laid  as  tributes  at  the  last  resting  place  of  the  universally 
esteemed  citizen. 

The  following  gentlemen  officiated  as  pall  bearers  :  Honor¬ 
ary  —  Gen.  R.  C.  Jones,  Dr.  Jas.  T.  Searcy,  Prof.  W.  A.  Palmer, 
Prof.  W.  A.  Parker,  Messrs.  F.  S.  Moody  and  Robert  Wilson. 
Active  —  Messrs.  A.  S.  Vande  Graaf,  W.  C.  Harris,  W.  D.  Seed, 
H.  A.  Jones,  A.  F.  Prince,  H.  F.  Hill,  Geo.  A.  Searcy  and  Dr. 
Jno.  Little. 

“  Dust  to  Dust.” 

From  the  Tuscaloosa  Times. 

The  mortal  remains  of  the  late  Festus  Fitts,  Esq.,  were  con¬ 
signed  to  their  eternal  rest  in  Evergreen  Cemetery  this  morning 
in  the  presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  deeply  sorrowing 
friends  and  relatives.  The  funeral  occurred  from  Christ  Church 
at  nine  o’clock,  and  the  solemn  services  were  conducted  with 
much  impressiveness  by  the  Rector,  Rev.  W.  C.  Whitaker.  In 
addition  to  the  funeral  chant,  the  choir  sang  the  three  hymns, 
“Jesus  Lover  of  My  Soul,”  “  I  Heard  the  Voice  of  Jesus  Say,” 
and  “  Thy  Will  Be  Done.” 

The  funeral  was  attended  by  an  enormous  concourse  of 
people,  many  being  unable  to  gain  admission  to  the  sacred 
edifice. 

During  the  progress  of  the  funeral,  business  in  the  city  was 
entirely  suspended,  out  of  respect  to  the  honored  dead.  Among 
the  mourners  were  the  members  of  the  local  lodge  Knights  of 
Pythias,  who  turned  out  in  a  body.  The  funeral  procession 
was  one  of  the  longest  ever  seen  in  Tuscaloosa,  evidencing  how 
great  in  life  had  been  the  popularity  of  the  deceased. 

After  the  religious  services  at  the  grave,  the  burial  rites  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  were  spoken  over  the  remains  and  con¬ 
cluded  the  impressive  ceremonies. 

The  following  expressions  of  sympathy  and  condolence  in 
this  great  bereavement,  with  testimonials  of  esteem  for  departed 
worth,  were  among  those  received  by  the  father  of  the  deceased, 
Mr.  J.  II.  Fitts  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

From  Col.  H.  Harding,  U.  S.  Engineer  in  charge  of  Govern¬ 
ment  works  on  Warrior  River,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

Birmingham,  Aug.  G,  1896. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Fitts, 

My  Dear  Sir  : 

I  was  much  grieved  to  notice  the  death  of  Festus.  I 
esteemed  him  greatly,  and  cannot  but  regard  his  death  as  a 


144  Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

loss  —  not  to  his  family  and  friends  only,  but  to  the  community 
generally. 

Accept  the  heart-felt  sympathy  and  condolence  of  your 
sincere  and  sorrowing  friend, 

H.  Harding. 


From  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Bishop 
of  Alabama 

Capon  Springs,  West  Va.,  Aug.  20,  1896. 

Alas!  dear  friend,  how  unavailing  are  all  human  words 
and  sympathy  in  such  a  case  as  yours.  I  only  write  these  few 
lines  to  assure  you  —  which  assurance  I  feel  sure  you  do  not 
need — that  my  heart  and  mind  are  with  you  all,  and  that  my 
prayers  are  daily  offered  in  your  behalf. 

The  knowledge  of  the  dear  boy’s  excellencies  of  character, 
while  it  must  mingle  gratitude  with  your  tears,  yet,  at  the  same 
time,  deepens  the  sense  of  your  loss. 

“Our  Father  ”  be  gracious  unto  you,  his  brothers  and  sisters; 
comfort  you  with  the  light  of  His  countenance,  and  help  you  to 
say  from  the  heart,  “  Even  so,  Father,  for  so  it  seemeth  good  in 
Thy  sight.”  Oh!  if  we  could  see  all  as  it  is  seen  in  “our 
Father’s  sight,”  what  comfort  unspeakable  might  we  not  see  in 
our  deepest  afflictions. 

“  Sometime,  when  all  life’s  lessons  have  been  learned, 

And  sun  and  stars  forevermore  have  set, 

The  things  which  our  weak  judgments  here  have  spurned. 

The  things  o’er  which  we  grieved  with  lashes  wet, 

Will  flash  before  us  out  of  life’s  dark  night, 

As  stars  shine  most  in  deepest  tints  of  blue ; 

And  we  shall  see  how  all  God’s  plans  were  right, 

And  how  what  seemed  reproof  was  love  most  true. 

And  we  shall  see  how,  while  we  frown  and  sigh, 

God’s  plans  go  on  as  best  for  you  and  me; 

How,  when  we  called,  he  heeded  not  our  cry, 

Because  his  wisdom  to  the  end  could  see. 

And  e’en  as  fondest  parents  disallow 
Too  much  of  sweet  to  craving  babyhood, 

So  God,  perhaps  is  keeping  from  us  now 
Life’s  sweetest  things  because  it  seemeth  good. 

And  if  sometimes  commingled  with  life’s  wine, 

We  find  the  wormwood,  and  rebel  and  shrink, 

Be  sure  a  wiser  hand  than  yours  or  mine 
Pours  out  the  portion  for  our  lips  to  drink. 

And  if  some  friend  we  love  is  lying  low, 

Where  human  kisses  cannot  reach  his  face, 

Oh,  do  not  blame  the  loving  Father  so, 

But  bear  your  sorrow  with  obedient  grace ! 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


145 


And  you  shall  shortly  know  that  lengthened  breath 
Is  not  the  sweetest  gift  God  lends  his  friends, 
And  that,  sometimes,  the  sable  pall  of  death 
Conceals  the  fairest  boon  his  love  can  send. 

If  we  could  push  ajar  the  gates  of  life, 

And  stand  within,  and  all  God’s  working  see, 

We  could  interpret  all  this  doubt  and  strife, 

And  for  each  mystery  could  find  a  key. 


But  not  to-day ;  then  be  content,  poor  heart ; 

God’s  plans  like  lilies  pure  and  white  unfold. 

We  must  not  tear  the  close  shut  leaves  apart — 
Time  will  reveal  the  calyxes  of  gold. 

And  if,  through  patient  toil,  we  reach  the  land 
Where  tired  feet,  with  sandals  loosed,  may  rest, 
When  we  shall  know  and  clearly  understand, 

I  think  that  we  shall  say  that  ‘God  knows  best.’  ” 


It  is  the  Father’s  hand,  and  not  His  rod,  that  is  laid  upon 
you,  my  brother.  “  What  son  is  he  whom  the  Father  chasteneth 


not?” 


Yours  with  affection  and  deepest  sympathy  for  the  mother 
and  wife  and  all. 


Richard  H.  Wilmer. 


Mr.  Jas.  H.  Fitts. 


The  Second  Infantry  of  Alabama  National  Guards  held 
their  annual  encampment  at  Tuscaloosa  in  1897,  and  the  follow¬ 
ing  order  was  issued,  and  read  by  Capt.  Cater: 

Headquarters  2nd  Infantry  Alabama  National  Guard 
Orders  No.  1 

July  5th,  1897. 

Soldiers  have  always  cherished  the  memory  of  brave  and 
chivalrous  leaders,  and  on  every  fitting  occasion  it  has  been 
their  custom  to  erect  some  memorial  to  perpetuate  the  influences 
of  the  noble,  generous  deeds  that  have  characterized  the  lives  of 
their  comrades. 

Fresh  and  dear  to  all  our  hearts  is  the  name  of  a  gallant 
Tuscaloosian,  enthusiastic  in  military  affairs,  honored  by,  and 
an  honor  to,  the  National  Guard,  who,  less  than  a  year  ago,  was 
called  to  lay  down  his  armor  and  rest  on  the  eternal  camping 
ground. 

In  recognition  of  the  fidelity  of  Col.  Festus  Fitts  to  every 
trust,  as  a  citizen  and  a  soldier,  it  is  ordered  that  this  camp  be 
known  as  “Camp  Festus  Fitts.” 


20 


146 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Faviily 


No.  182 

Fannie  (James  Harris1,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1) 
Fitts5  was  born  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  Aug.  10, 1860,  and  baptized 
May  30,  1867. 

She  was  confirmed  June  1,  1873,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H. 
Wilmer,  in  Christ  Church,  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.  She  was  graduated 
at  the  Tuscaloosa  Female  College,  under  the  Presidency  of  Prof. 
Alonzo  Hill,  in  1878.  She  was  married  to  Samuel  Fitts  Alston, 
Aug.  2,  1883,  in  Christ  Church,  Tuscaloosa. 

Samuel  Fitts  Alston  was  born  in  Selma,  Ala.,  Jan.  6,  1859. 
His  father,  Joseph  J.  Alston,  was  the  son  of  William  Williams 
Alston  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Burges)  Alston,  both  from  North 
Carolina,  and  his  mother,  Louisa  Josephine  (Jones)  Alston,  was 
the  daughter  of  Charles  B.  and  Caroline  M.  Jones  of  Virginia. 

He  was  baptized,  in  infancy,  in  St.  Paul’s  (Episcopal) 
Church,  in  Selma,  and  confirmed,  April  29,  1883,  in  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  Ala. 

His  parents  moved  to  New  Orleans  in  1865,  where  they 
resided  for  several  years  and  then  lived  two  years  in  New  York; 
and  in  1872  removed  to  Paris,  Texas,  where  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  was  employed  as  a  Deputy  Clerk  in  the  District  Court,  and 
for  several  years  before  his  majority  contributed  largely,  by  his 
individual  labor,  to  the  support  of  the  family.  Samuel  Fitts 
Alston  removed  from  Paris,  Texas,  with  his  father’s  family  in 
1879,  and  settled  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  he  soon  secured  a 
position  as  Clerk  in  the  Express  Company,  and  within  two  years 
thereafter  had  control  of  the  office  as  Express  Agent. 

In  1881,  Mr.  Alston  with  Mr.  Charles  Fitts  as  partner, 
purchased  the  Book  Store  of  Mr.  George  A.  Searcy,  in  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  and  for  several  years  carried  on  the  business  very  success¬ 
fully  under  the  firm  name  of  Alston  &  Fitts.  He  sold  out  his 
interest  in  the  Book  Store  in  1885,  and  with  Mr.  C.  N.  Maxwell, 
purchased  the  Jewelry  Establishment  of  Mr.  Black.  This  busi¬ 
ness  he  conducted  with  much  success  under  the  firm  name  of 
Alston  &  Maxwell  until  the  spring  of  1887,  when  he  sold  his 
interest  to  a  brother.  During  this  year  he  became  a  member  of 
the  Banking  House  of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co.,  and  was  one  of  the 
Incorporators  of  the  Tuscaloosa  and  Castle  Hill  Real  Estate  and 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  which  latter  company  he  was 
elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  subsequently  was  made 
General  Manager.  The  city  of  Tuscaloosa  had  this  year  (1887) 
what  was  called  a  “  Big  Boom,”  in  consequence  of  the  organiza¬ 
tion  of  “  The  Tuscaloosa  Coal,  Iron  and  Land  Company,”  claim- 


SAMUEL  FITTS  ALSTON 
Husband  of  No.  182 


FANNIE  (Fitts  s)  ALSTON 
No.  182 


JAMES  FITTS  11  ALSTON 
No.  477 


MAR  I  LOU  11  ALSTON 
No.  478 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


147 


ing  to  have  a  capital  of  $1,000,000,  which  consisted  of  suburban 
lands  that  had  been  put  in  the  company  by  the  incorporators  at 
prices  far  above  their  market  value.  The  stock  of  this  company 
was  at  one  time  above  par,  and  a  considerable  amount  of  it  was 
bought  by  the  citizens  of  Chicago,  New  York,  Birmingham  and 
New  Orleans.  The  Tuscaloosa  Coal,  Iron  and  Land  Company 
purchased  30,000  acres  of  mineral  lands,  projected  the  building 
of  an  Iron  Furnace,  and  many  other  enterprises,  which  caused 
real  estate  in  and  around  the  city  to  enhance  greatly  in  value, 
and  the  population  to  increase  some  1,500  that  year.  Partaking 
of  the  general  belief  that  Tuscaloosa  would  soon  be  a  large  city, 
the  Directors  of  the  Tuscaloosa  and  Castle  Hill  Real  Estate  and 
Manufacturing  Company  purchased  the  Street  Car  Line,  then 
running  from  the  city  to  the  depot,  and  extended  it  over  two 
miles  to  the  foot  of  Castle  Hill.  This  was  built  to  enable  the 
company  to  sell  its  lots,  at  East  End,  and  with  the  view 
ultimately  of  bringing  into  market  its  lands  at  Castle  Hill  for 
residences.  To  lend  an  additional  attraction  to  Castle  Hill  as 
a  place  for  suburban  residences,  and  also  with  the  view  of  pro¬ 
viding  a  pleasure  resort  for  the  future  large  city,  this  company 
made  a  beautiful  artificial  lake  at  the  foot  of  Castle  Hill,  called 
“  Lake  Lorraine,”  which  with  the  various  surrounding  improve¬ 
ments,  cost  over  $12,000.  As  General  manager  of  this  company, 
Mr.  S.  F.  Alston  projected  and  supervised  the  making  of  these 
improvements,  and  extended  the  Street  Railway  to  the  lake, 
and  also  the  management  of  the  Street  Car  Railway  after  con¬ 
struction.  Lie  displayed  great  energy  and  ability  in  superin¬ 
tending  this  railway,  running  at  one  time  as  many  as  eight  cars 
regularly,  on  a  schedule  of  ten  minutes  between  the  cars 
on  the  line  from  the  depot  to  Lake  Lorraine,  a  distance 
over  four  miles. 

The  income  from  this  Street  Car  Line  in  1888  and  1889 
was  over  $15,000,  and  the  expense  about  the  same,  and  it  would 
have  been  upon  a  paying  basis  had  the  population  of  the  city 
continued  to  increase. 

Owing  to  a  collapse  of  the  “  Big  Boom  ”  the  population  of 
Tuscaloosa  decreased  almost  as  much  in  1889  and  1890  as  it 
had  gained  in  1887  and  1888.  The  decrease  in  population  was 
caused  by  a  loss  of  confidence  in  The  Tuscaloosa  Coal,  Iron  and 
Land  Company,  in  consequence  of  its  purchase  of  $300,000 
worth  of  mineral  lands,  mostly  from  its  own  stockholders,  and 
its  failure  to  construct  the  Iron  Furnace.  Its  stock  fell  below 
fifty  cents  on  the  dollar,  and  faith  in  the  immediate  growth  of 
Tuscaloosa  was  lost  by  all  intelligent  observers.  Mr.  S.  F. 


148 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Alston  continues,  as  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  The  Tuscaloosa 
and  Castle  Hill  Real  Estate  and  Manufacturing  Companjq  to 
manage  the  affairs  of  the  company,  which  owns  several  hundred 
acres  of  land  in  and  around  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  in  addition 
to  the  Lake  and  Street  Car  Line,  while  at  the  same  time  he  is 
engaged  in  various  individual  enterprises. 

He  possesses  great  energy  and  a  wonderful  versatility  of 
business  talent;  and  while  his  principal  occupation  is  lending 
money,  he  is  ready  at  any  time  to  make  any  trade,  or  go  into 
any  enterprise  which  promises  a  good  return.  Pushing,  suc¬ 
cessful  business  men  frequently  neglect  their  families;  not  so  with 
Mr.  Alston.  He  is  an  affectionate  husband  and  very  fond  of 
and  devoted  to  his  children. 

Mr.  Samuel  Fitts  Alston  and  Fannie  Fitts  Alston  have, 
since  their  marriage,  lived  with  the  parents  of  the  latter,  as  one 
family,  and  have  two  children,  James  Fitts  Alston  and  Marilou 
Alston.  Both  these  children  were  born  in  the  Old  State  Bank 
building  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  and  both  baptized  in  Christ  Church 
by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Stringfellow. 

No.  183 

Arthur  (James  Harris4,  James  Harris5,  Oliver2,  Henry1) 
Fitts5  was  born  Oct.  8,  1862;  baptized  May  30,  1867,  and  con¬ 
firmed  May  17,  1878,  by  Bishop  Wilmer,  in  Christ  (Episcopal) 
Church,  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

He  was  prepared  for  entrance  into  the  University  by  the 
best  teachers  in  Tuscaloosa,  but  he  remained  at  College  only 
two  years,  1878  and  1879.  Being  anxious  to  commence  work 
for  himself  he,  by  persistent  effort  prevailed  upon  his  father  to 
permit  him  to  go  to  work  in  a  Cotton  Factory,  of  which  his 
father  was  a  large  stockholder  and  President.  4His  father  hoped 
and  believed  he  would  soon  become  tired  of  the  work,  and 
return  to  the  University.  But  he  soon  acquired  a  fondness  for 
the  work  and  a  great  love  for  machinery;  and  made  such  pro¬ 
gress  that  he  was  able  to  earn  good  wages  within  less  than  one 
year,  and  in  two  years,  before  he  was  of  age,  he  was  appointed 
Superintendent  of  “  The  Tuscaloosa  Cotton  Mills.” 

As  soon  as  he  took  charge  of  the  mill  its  production  was 
largely  increased,  and  he  managed  it  with  great  ability,  making 
the  stock  pay  a  handsome  dividend.  He  became  the  largest 
stockholder,  and  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  Tuscaloosa  Cotton 
Mills. 

He  never  married.  In  October,  1888,  the  mills  were  closed 
for  repairs,  because  of  the  low  price  of  goods.  The  Directors 


ARTHUR  FITTS 
No.  183 


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Alice  (Fitts5)  Hill  Walton  Harris  6  Hill 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


149 


decided  not  to  start  up  until  the  price  of  goods  improved. 
Although  he  was  not  in  any  sense  an  habitual  drinker,  while 
the  mill  was  idle  he  occasionally  drank  to  excess,  and  on  the 
29th  of  July  he  was  killed  by  a  pistol  in  his  own  hands. 

It  was  generally  believed  he  did  it  by  design,  being  keenly 
sensative  to  the  reproaches  of  conscience  for  having  drank  too 
much  on  a  previous  occasion. 

He  was  buried  in  Evergreen  Cemetery,  at  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

No.  184 

Alice  (James  Harris4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver3,  Henry')  Fitts6 
was  born  March  2,  1865,  at  Castle  Hill,  in  Tuscaloosa  County, 
Ala.;  baptized  May  30,  1867,  by  Rev.  John  D.  Easter,  and  con¬ 
firmed  by  Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
Alabama,  on  the  17th  of  March,  1878. 

When  Alice  Fitts  was  one  month  and  one  day  old  she  was 
captured  with  her  parents  by  the  Federal  forces.  To  witness 
the  marriage  of  their  niece,  Emily  Leach,  to  Capt.  James  Car¬ 
penter,  on  the  3rd  of  April,  1865,  her  parents  went  from  their 
country  home,  Castle  Hill,  into  the  city  of  Tuscaloosa,  and  as 
they  expected  to  remain  several  hours,  they  took  their  infant 
with  them.  The  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  at  eight 
o’clock  that  evening,  and  an  elegant  marriage  feast  served  at 
eleven  o’clock  that  night.  The  guests  had  barely  finished  their 
supper  when  it  was  rumored  that  the  “  Yankees  ”  were  at  the 
bridge,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  residence  was  surrounded  with 
Federal  Cavalry.  The  city  was  thus  captured  completely  by 
surprise,  and  the  next  day  was  sacked  by  1,200  Federal  soldiers. 
After  being  held  as  prisoners  for  twenty-four  hours,  Alice  and 
her  parents  were  released  and  she  was  taken  back  to  their  home, 
at  Castle  Hill,  in  the  arms  of  her  parents  on  foot,  their  carriage 
and  horses  having  been  taken  by  the  Federal  soldiers. 

She  was  married  to  Walton  W.  Hill,  Jan.  6,  1885,  by  the 
Rev.  J.  H.  Stringfellow,  at  Christ  Church,  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.  He 
was  the  youngest  child  of  Rev.  Luther  Leonidas  Hill  and  Mary 
Heleener  (Walton)  Hill,  who  had  six  children,  five  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  Rev.  L.  L.  Hill  was  born  July  23,  1823, 
married  July  13,  1848,  and  died  May  30,  1893.  Mary  Heleener 
(Walton)  Hill  was  born  May  2,  1825,  and  died  Jan.  11,  1856, 
over  whom  a  beautiful  monument,  costing  $7,000,  was  erected  in 
the  Cemetery  at  Montgomery,  Ala. 

Walton  W.  Hill  was  educated  at  the  University  of  the 
South,  Sewanee,  Tenn.  He  read  law  and  was  graduated  with 


150  Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 

the  degree  of  LL.  B.  at  the  Virginia  University,  under  Dr. 
John  B.  Minor. 

In  1889  he  was  one  of  the  Representatives  of  Montgomery 
County  in  the  State  Legislature,  was  re-elected  in  1892  and  again 
in  1894. 

He  is  a  planter,  owning  several  plantations,  and  a  lawyer, 
practicing  in  the  city  of  Montgomery,  where  they  reside.  They 
have  two  sons. 


No.  185 

Alston  (James  Harris4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver3,  Henry') 
Fitts5  was  born  March  10,  1867;  baptized  May  30,  1867;  and 
confirmed  May  8,  1881,  in  Christ  (Episcopal)  Church  in  Tusca¬ 
loosa,  Ala.,  the  city  of  his  nativity.  He  was  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Alabama,  with  the  degree  of  A.B.,  in  1886,  and 
with  that  of  LL.B.,  in  1887. 

With  the  view  of  perfecting  himself  in  Modern  Languages, 
to  become  a  teacher,  he  went  to  the  University  of  Liepsic,  Ger¬ 
many,  in  1887,  and  from  that  institution  he  received  a  certificate 
of  proficiency  in  the  German  language  in  1888.  His  plan  of 
studying  French  in  Paris  was  broken  up  by  the  death  of  his 
sister,  Mary,  which  caused  him  to  return  home.  He  subse¬ 
quently  made  a  tour  of  Europe.  In  1889  and  1890  he  held  the 
position  of  Exchange  Clerk  in  the  Bank  of  J.  H.  Fitts  &  Co., 
and  although  he  proved  himself  a  highly  proficient  and  a  much 
valued  Clerk,  he  did  not  like  the  confinement  nor  the  monotony 
of  the  business,  and  the  following  year  (1891)  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine,  under  Dr.  James  L.  Williamson,  in  the  city 
of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.  In  October,  1892,  he  entered  the  Medical 
Department  of  Columbia  College,  New  York,  “  The  School  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons.”  He  was  graduated  in  1895,  and  is 
now  practicing  his  profession  in  New  York  City. 

No.  186 

Mary  (James  Harris4,  James  Harris3,  Oliver2,  Henry1)  Fitts" 
was  born  April  29,  1871 ;  baptized  May  28,  1871,  and  died  Jan. 
26,  1888. 

From  childhood  she  was  attached  to  the  church,  and  was 
always  punctual  at  Sunday  School,  with  lessons  well  prepared, 
and  at  all  times  was  respectful  and  obedient  to  her  teachers.  She 
was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  George  H.  Hunt,  and  confirmed  by 
Rt.  Rev.  R.  H.  Wilmer,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1885. 

In  honor  to  her  memory  a  meeting  of  the  teachers  and 
pupils  of  the  Tuscaloosa  Female  College  was  held  in  the  College 


ALSTON  FITTS,5  A  B,  LL.B.,  M.D. 
No.  185 


MARY  FITTS  B 
No.  1 86 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


151 


Chapel,  on  Monday,  Jan.  30,  1888,  at  which  the  following  pre¬ 
amble  and  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

“Whereas,  It  hath  pleased  a  wise  and  inscrutable  Provi¬ 
dence  to  sever  the  golden  cord  that  bound  one  of  our  late  mem¬ 
bers  to  this  life,  and  removed  her  to  the  higher  and  better  life, 
beyond  the  veil ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  while  we  bow  in  meek  submission  to  the 
will  of  the  All-Wise  Father,  we  rejoice  that  her  triumphant 
departure  took  away  the  sting  of  death,  and  left  an  example 
worthy  of  the  emulation  of  her  youthful  companions. 

Resolved,  That  we  feel  impelled  to  bear  our  testimony  to  her 
beautiful  school  life,  her  unvarying  amiability,  her  purity  and 
innocency  of  character,  her  gentle  and  lovable  manners  and  hex- 
consistent  Christian  life. 

Resolved,  That  as  she  spent  so  much  of  her  brief  life  in  our 
midst,  and  as  nowhere  else  could  she  be  so  thoroughly  known, 
or  her  many  lovely  qualities  so  highly  appreciated,  we  feel 
eminently  qualified  to  extend  our  profound  sympathy  to  the 
bei-eaved  family. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three,  consisting  of  Mrs. 
W.  C.  Richardson,  Mary  Cochrane  and  Annie  Roquemore,  be 
appointed  to  take  this  imperfect  tribute  to  the  worth  of  our 
loved  friend  to  the  house  of  her  parents,  and  to  send  a  copy  of 
the  same  to  the  city  papers  for  publication.” 

She  was  buried  in  Evergreen  Cemetery  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala., 
and  her  grave  is  marked  by  a  little  Gothic  (marble)  Church 
expressive  of  her  devotion  to  Christ  Church,  Tuscaloosa, 
Ala.,  in  which  her  parents  have  in  loving  remembrance  of  her, 
placed  a  Memorial  Window,  representing  our  Savior  restoring 
to  life  the  daughter  of  Jarius. 


No.  187 

George  Wolsey  Van  IIoose,  is  a  lawyer  of  prominence, 
and  has  been  for  many  years  Register  of  the  Chancery  Court. 
He  is  gifted  with  great  mechanical  skill,  and  has  displayed  high 
inventive  powers.  Oixe  of  the  best  non-explosive  lamps  was 
invented  by  him,  and  a  steaixi  war  ship  patented  by  him  has 
l-eceived  the  highest  approval  from  competent  judges.  lie  is  a 
man  of  uniform  habits  and  exemplary  life,  and  is  highly 
esteemed  by  the  people  of  Tuscaloosa,  where  he  has  resided  all 
of  his  life. 


152 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


No.  218 

William  Cochrane  (Phillip  Augustus4,  John3,  Oliver2, 
Henry1)  Fitts6  was  bom  January  29,  1866,  in  Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

When  he  was  about  ten  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to 
Clarksville,  Tenn.,  in  which  State  he  was  educated,  spending  one 
year  at  the  University  of  the  South,  and  was  graduated  in  1884, 
at  the  South  Western  Presbyterian  University  at  Clarksville. 
At  this  institution  he  was  awarded  the  Prize  Medal  for  the  best 
Oration,  composition  and  delivery  both  being  considered.  His 
subject  was  Westminster  Abby.  He  was  selected  by  his  class¬ 
mates  to  represent  the  Institution  in  the  prize  contest  between 
the  Colleges  of  the  State  for  the  best  Orator. 

The  contest  took  place  in  the  City  of  Nashville,  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  assembly  of  interested  people.  Though  he 
was  the  youngest  of  the  several  contestants,  only  one  was 
thought  superior  to  him  in  declamation. 

After  being  graduated  he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  the 
National  Bank  of  Clarksville,  but  soon  commenced  the  study  of 
Law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Polk  Johnson,  of  that  city.  He 
afterwards  entered  the  Law  Class  of  the  University  of  Alabama, 
and  subsequently  attended  a  Summer  Course  of  Law  given  at 
the  University  of  Virginia  by  Professor  John  B.  Minor. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  May,  1886,  by  the  Chancery 
Court  of  Birmingham,  and  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  State  of  Alabama,  the  following  January. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  Law  in  the  City  of  Tusca¬ 
loosa  in  the  fall  of  1886,  and  in  a  short  time  his  uncle,  the  Hon. 
W.  G.  Cochrane,  formed  a  co-partnership  in  law  with  him,  and 
the  firm  of  Cochrane  &  Fitts  continued  for  four  years,  doing  a 
good  business.  This  Law  Firm  were  the  Attorneys  for  the  Tus¬ 
caloosa  Coal,  Iron  and  Land  Company,  and  assisted  in  organiz¬ 
ing  the  same. 

Subsequently  he  practiced  a  short  time  with  Ormond 
Somerville,  Esq.,  as  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Fitts  & 
Somerville,  and  afterwards  began  the  practice  alone,  which  he 
still  continues.  He  is  doing  a  fine  practice  for  one  of  his  age, 
and  is  generally  employed  on  one  side  or  the  other  in  all 
criminal  cases  of  importance. 

He  has  ability,  energy  and  application,  and  bids  fair  to  be, 
not  only  a  successful  practitioner,  but  a  lawyer  of  prominence  in 
the  State. 

He  was  elected  Attorney-General  of  the  State  of  Alabama 
on  the  Democratic  ticket  in  1894,  and  re-elected  in  1896. 


G.  WOOLSEY  VAN  HOOSE 
Husband  of  No.  187 


EMILY  LEE 5  (Martin)  VAN  HOOSE 
No.  187 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


153 


Mr.  Fitts  was  married,  in  Birmingham,  Ala.,  April  23d, 
1890,  by  the  Rev.  P.  A.  Fitts,  his  father,  at  the  Church  of  the 
Advent,  to  Eleanor  Hewett,  a  daughter  of  Col.  G.  W.  Hewett,  a 
prominent  lawyer,  and  for  several  years  a  member  of  Congress 
from  the  Tuscaloosa  District.  They  have  one  child. 

No.  312 

Mary  Fitts6  Drew  was  born  Dec.  17,  1855,  and  baptized 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Payne.  She  married  Thomas  F.  Nicholson,  of 
Sussex  County,  Va.,  Jan.  10,  1883. 

They  have  one  son,  John  Benjamin  Nicholson,  born  June 
21,  1884. 

No.  313 

George  Rogers6  Drew  was  born  April  25,  1860,  and 
baptized  by  Rev.  Mr.  Boggs  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

He  was  educated  at  Randolph  Macon  College,  and  Bryant 
&  Stratton  Business  College,  Baltimore,  Md. 

He  married  Ida  Mary  Hollman  of  Surry  County,  Virginia. 

No.  324 

Susan  Fitts6  Drake  was  born  Aug.  8,  1855,  and  baptized 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Weaver  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  was  married 
to  Joseph  A.  House,  of  Halifax  County,  N.  C.,  on  the  9th  of 
October,  1878.  He  was  born  Sept.  26,  1857,  and  baptized  by 
Rev.  J.  0.  Andrews. 

She  lives  in  Plalifax  County,  N.  C.,  and  is  a  noble  specimen 
of  Christian  womanhood. 

They  have  eight  children.  She  was  educated  at  Warrenton 
Female  College. 

No.  325 

Mary  Ann6  Drake  was  born  June  27,  1857,  and  baptized 
by  Rev.  T.  G.  Lowe.  She  was  educated  in  Warren  County,  N.  C. 

She  is  engaged  in  teaching  in  her  native  county,  N.  C. 

No.  327 

Henry  Fitts6  Drake  was  born  Oct.  24th,  1863  ;  baptized 
by  Rev.  L.  Shell  in  the  M.  E.  Church. 

He  married  Lula  Allen,  Dec.  15,  1886.  They  resided  for 
some  time  in  Raleigh,  and  are  now  in  Durham,  N.  C.  He  is 
engaged  in  the  Railroad  business. 

They  have  no  children. 


21 


154 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 
No.  328 


Harriet  Thrower  Drake  was  born  Dec.  23,  1865,  and 
baptized  by  the  Rev.  L.  Hendren,  in  the  M.  E.  Church.  She  is 
unmarried. 

She  devotes  her  life  to  the  care  of  her  brothers  and  widowed 
father,  and  teaches  school  in  Warren,  her  native  county. 

No.  330 

William  Caswell  Drake6  was  born  Sept.  18,  1871;  bap¬ 
tized  by  Rev.  R.  A.  Willis,  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

He  was  in  business  in  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  at  the  time  of  his 
mother’s  death,  and  to  relieve  his  father’s  cares,  he  returned 
home  and  took  charge  of  the  farm. 

He  was  drowned  June  11th,  1892,  in  attempting  to  swim 
across  the  Roanoke  River,  when  in  bathing  with  some  friends. 

No.  363 

Malvern  Hill  Palmer6  was  born  Feb.  17,  1865;  married 
Jeese  Key  Arrington  on  Dec.  23,  1891,  and  died  Sept.  4,  1895, 
at  Asheville,  N.  C.  He  was  the  son  of  Horace  Palmer  and  his 
first  wife  Sallie  Milan4  Palmer. 

Memorial  Tribute,  by  Judge  Walter  A.  Montgomery,  a 
Former  Law  Partner  of  Mr.  M.  H.  Palmer 

“  In  the  death  of  Mr.  Malvern  Hill  Palmer,  which  occurred 
at  Asheville  on  the  4th  inst.,  while  on  a  visit  to  that  city,  the 
State  has  sustained  the  loss  of  a  useful  citizen,  and  society  that 
of  a  cultured  gentleman. 

With  the  exception  of  having  been  appointed  State  Bank 
Examiner  by  the  present  Treasurer,  he  never  sought  or  held  a 
public  position.  He  had  a  most  laudable  ambition,  was  a  born 
leader,  and  had  the  gift  to  draw  men,  everywhere,  to  him.  He 
was  honest,  brave,  brilliant  and  amiable. 

Mr.  Palmer  was  born  on  the  17th  of  February,  1865,  on  the 
plantation  of  his  father,  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  where  he 
lived  until  he  entered  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  in 
January,  1885.  Pie  was  graduated  at  that  Institution  in  the 
class  of  1888,  and  during  the  year  succeeding,  was  engaged  in 
teaching.  After  that  time  he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  was 
licensed  to  practice  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  his  native  State,  in 
September,  1890,  and  settled  at  Warrenton,  N.  C. 


WILLIAM  THROWER5  TWITTY,  M.  D. 
No.  335 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


155 


In  December,  1892,  Mr.  Palmer  formed  a  law  partnership 
with  Mr.  W.  A.  Montgomery,  which  lasted  until  the  latter  gen¬ 
tleman  was  elected  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina. 

On  the  23d  of  December,  1891,  he  married  Jesse  Key 
Arrington,  daughter  of  Samuel  P.  Arrington,  of  the  last  named 
place. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  there  was  probably  not  a  better 
equipped  lawyer  in  the  State  of  his  age.  He  was  well  grounded 
in  the  principles  of  the  law  and  had  studied  carefully  the  decis¬ 
ions  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

As  an  advocate  he  was  honest  and  able,  his  style  earnest, 
his  reasoning  incisive,  and  his  speech  fluent ;  and  while  guard¬ 
ing  well  his  own  position  he  was  quick  to  see  the  weak  points 
of  his  opponent’s  case.  He  never  badgered  a  witness,  was 
always  respectful  to  the  court  and  its  officers,  and  polite  to  his 
brethren  of  the  bar.  To  these  qualities  was  added  courage,  both 
physical  and  moral;  of  the  highest  order,  and  he  had  the  strictest 
sense  of  justice,  honor  and  fair  dealing. 

In  all  his  home  relations  he  was  exemplary,  a  devoted 
husband,  affectionate  father,  dutiful  son.  In  social  life  he  was 
most  highly  esteemed  for  his  amiability,  his  engaging  manners, 
his  pleasing  address  and  the  purity  and  sincerity  of  his  thoughts, 
and  their  expression ;  and  his  friends  and  acquaintances  will 
not  soon  forget  his  talents  and  his  virtues,  his  gifts  and  his 
graces. 

The  death  of  this  estimable  gentleman  in  the  prime  of  life, 
with  a  most  brilliant  future  just  before  him,  has  stirred  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  of  his  county  the  deepest  emotions  of  sorrow 
and  regret.  He  left  a  most  numerous  family  connection  and  an 
affectionate  wife  and  two  children,  both  boys,  to  deplore  their 
loss.  He  was  to  the  last  hopeful  of  recovery,  in  the  full  posses¬ 
sion  of  his  powers.  He  went  gently  to  his  long  sleep. 

Two  days  after  his  death,  and  at  the  same  hour  of  the  day, 
just  at  sundown,  his  nlortal  part  was  committed  to  the  grave  in 
the  family  burial  ground,  ‘earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust 
to  dust,’  amid  the  tears  and  sorrowings  of  friends  and  relatives, 
and  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  neighbors  and 
acquaintances,  who  were  there  to  testify  their  love  and  respect.” 

No.  369 

Susan  Russell6  Palmer,  daughter  of  Horace  Palmer,  Sr., 
and  Harriet  0.  Palmer,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  on 
the  8th  day  of  November,  1875,  and  died  in  Greensboro,  N.  C. 
on  the  21st  day  of  May,  1894. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


15(i 


In  1887  she  joined  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Hebron,  on  the  War- 
renton  Circuit. 

From  a  “  Tribute  ”  by  her  Pastor,  Rev.  A.  McCullen,  the 
following  extracts  are  taken: 

“  In  form  and  feature  she  was  beautiful.  Nature  with  a 
bountiful  hand,  lavished  rich  gifts  upon  this  lovely  young 
woman.  Her  mind  was  clear  and  bright,  and  was  being  enriched 
with  the  treasures  of  knowledge  when  death  cut  her  down.  She 
was  modest  and  winning  in  her  manners,  affectionate  in  disposi¬ 
tion,  pure  and  lofty  in  her  aspirations.  She  endeared  herself 
to  all  who  entered  the  sacred  circle  of  her  friendship. 

In  the  bosom  of  the  home  circle  she  was  a  special  favorite. 
As  daughter,  sister  and  friend,  she  was  obedient,  tender  and 
gentle. 

Her  enraptured  soul  photographed  its  joys  in  a  smile  upon 
the  sweet  face  we  saw  resting  so  quietly  in  the  casket.  She  is 
not  dead ;  she  sleeps  to  awake  in  the  likeness  of  the  Lord  of 
Glory.  In  the  fullness  of  faith,  in  the  promise  of  God,  we  say 
good-bye  until  we  meet  in  heaven.” 

No.  373 

William  Thrower  (Francis  Michael4,  Oliver  D.3,  Henry2, 
Henry1)  Fitts6  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  on  the  24th 
of  February,  1866,  and  was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  James  A. 
Duncan,  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  when  quite  young. 

He  married  Harriet  Thrower6  Twitty,  a  daughter  of  Robert 
Cheek  Twitty,  of  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  on  the  9th  of  November, 
1887. 

He  is  a  clerk  in  a  drug  store  in  Washington  City,  D.  C., 
where  they  reside,  and  have  three  little  girls. 

No.  227 

John  James5  (Margaret  Louisa  Fitts4,  John  Fitts3,  Oliver 
Fitts2,  Henry  Fitts1)  Harris  was  born  Nov.  3,  1864;  married  in 
1892  to  Miss  Lallie  Purifoy. 

Dr.  John  James  Harris  was  the  second  son  of  Rev.  John 
James  Harris  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  where  he  was  born  and  reared. 

At  an  early  age  he  evinced  a  ready  aptitude  for  learning 
and  was  considered  one  of  the  bright  boys  of  his  classes.  He 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Tuscaloosa,  and  at  the  University 
of  Alabama. 

Entering  the  University  in  1882,  he  was  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  A.B.  in  1886,  with  high  honors,  and  among  the 
first  in  a  class  of  forty  members. 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


157 


Choosing  medicine  as  his  profession,  the  degree  of  M.D.  was 
conferred  upon  him  in  1889,  by  the  University  of  the  City  of 
New  York,  where  he  again  won  distinction  as  a  student,  and 
was  graduated  fourth  in  a  class  of  over  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

He  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  first  at 
Brookwood,  Ala.,  then  at  Tuscaloosa,  and  finally,  in  1891,  he 
located  at  Furman,  Wilcox  County,  Ala.  He  soon  built  up  a 
good  practice  and  was  highly  respected  and  esteemed  by  all 
classes. 

As  a  physician  he  was  skilled,  learned  and  devoted  to  his 
work;  as  a  man  he  was  kind  hearted,  cheerful  and  social. 

In  January,  1892,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lillie  Purifoy, 
daughter  of  Mr.  E.  H.  Purifoy  and  niece  of  Hon.  John  Purifoy, 
ex-Auditor  of  Alabama. 

His  death  was  sudden  and  particularly  sad.  On  the  25th 
of  May,  1897,  he  was  called,  professionally,  to  the  bedside  of  a 
sick  relative,  Mrs.  Robbins,  his  wife’s  sister,  and  while  noting 
her' pulsations,  he  suddenly  sank  to  the  floor  and  expired  almost 
immediately.  It  is  supposed  that  he  died  of  rheumatism  of 
the  heart.  He  was  laid  to  rest  at  Marion,  Perry  County,  Ala. 
in  the  family  burying  ground  of  the  Purifoys. 

Dr.  Harris’  career,  though  short,  was  very  successful.  Just 
entering  upon  the  prime  of  a  manly  life,  with  bright  hopes  and 
lofty  aspirations;  chivalrous,  and,  with  all,  ever  true  to  the 
instincts  of  a  noble  character,  he  was  cut  down  in  the  midst  of 
his  usefulness,  and  when  new  and  higher  honors  seemed  but 
awaiting  him. 

No.  398 

Henry  Bird  (James  Henry4,  Henry  Green3,  Henry2,  Henry1) 
Fitts6  was  born  Sept.  19,  1858,  in  Petersburg,  Va. 

Before  he  was  three  months  old  his  father  died  in  the  Con¬ 
federate  service,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  leaving  a  widow  and 
three  small  children. 

Fortunately  for  the  children,  their  mother  was  determined 
that  they  should  have  an  education,  and  she  used  every  means 
in  her  power  to  accomplish  this  object.  Henry  Bird  Fitts  was 
sent  to  the  University  of  Virginia,  where  he  was  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  M.D.  in  1880.  He  was  commissioned  Assistant 
Surgeon  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  in  1882,  and  has  been  on  duty  in 
different  places,  at  one  time  in  Alaska. 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1886,  he  was  married  to  Alice 
Bugbee,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  George  Bugbee,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
who  recently  removed  to  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


158 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family 


Henry  Bird  Fitts  is  now  Past  Assistant  Surgeon,  and  is  on 
duty  at  the  A.  and  N.  Hospital  at  Hot  Springs,  Ark.  (1894). 

In  1895,  when  on  naval  service  on  U.  S.  Steamer  Essex,  he 
visited  Fitzford,  Devon,  Eng.,  to  see  the  old  Fitz  Mansion,  the 
home  of  his  ancestors. 


No.  399 

James  Henry  (James  Henry4,  Henry  Green3,  Henry2,  Henry1) 
Fitts6  was  born  in  Petersburg,  Va.,  Jan.  27,  1861.  His  early 
childhood  was  spent  in  the  city. 

His  father  died  in  the  Confederate  service  before  he  was  six 
months  old,  and  his  training  and  education  was  given  him  by  a 
loving  mother.  He  was  for  some  time  a  student  at  the  Uni¬ 
versity  of  the  South,  Sewanee,  Tenn.,  and  afterwards  received 
the  appointment  to  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy,  at  Annapolis, 
where  he  graduated  with  honor,  and  was  commissioned  to  service 
in  the  U.  S.  Navy  as  Assistant  Engineer  in  1882.  On  the  7th  of 
June,  1883,  he  married  Miss  Mayo  Blair,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  John 
Blair,  of  Richmond,  V a. 

He  resigned  his  position  as  Ensign  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  in 
1885,  and  the  following  year  was  elected  Professor  of  Mechanical 
Engineering  in  the  Virginia  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Col¬ 
lege,  at  Blacksburg,  Va.  He  was  a  Professor  in  this  institution 
for  seven  years,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  and  filled  the  posi¬ 
tion  with  profit  to  his  pupils,  credit  to  himself  and  honor  to  the 
institution. 

He  was  a  zealous  and  consistent  Episcopalian,  and  con¬ 
tributed  freely  for  the  support  of  the  church. 

Prof.  Fitts’  death,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two,  was  indeed  a 
sad  one.  He  was  killed  in  a  railroad  accident,  August  24,  1893. 
He  had  prepared  a  paper  on  “  Evaporative  Condensers,”  describ¬ 
ing  the  working  of  a  design  of  his  own,  which  had  been  patented, 
and  he  expected  to  read  this  paper  before  the  International  Con¬ 
gress  of  Engineers,  which  convened  at  Chicago  in  August,  1893, 
during  the  Columbian  Exposition.  He  had  also  made  arrange¬ 
ments  with  Dr.  Fitts,  his  brother,  of  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  to  meet 
him  in  Chicago  and  visit  the  International  Exposition  together. 

Bright  with  the  prospect  of  his  growing  fame,  and  happy 
in  the  hope  of  visiting  the  “  World’s  Fair  ”  with  his  much 
beloved  and  only  brother,  Prof.  Fitts  left  the  Christianburg 
depot  on  the  night  of  the  24th  of  August,  1893,  on  his  way  to 
Chicago,  and  in  a  few  hours  after  his  departure  met  his  death 
in  a  terrible  accident,  on  the  Ironton  Division  of  the  A.  &  W. 


Prof.  JAMES  HENRY  FITTS 5 
No.  399 


Fitts  or  Fitz  Family  159 

Railroad,  near  Welch,  W.  Va.,  in  which  thirteen  persons  lost 
their  lives. 

The  train  upon  which  he  had  taken  passage  was  compelled 
to  stop  to  remedy  some  defect  in  the  air-brakes ;  before  the 
brakes  could  be  repaired,  a  freight  train  loaded  with  coke  was 
heard  coming  around  the  curve,  running  at  full  speed.  Hearing 
the  rapid  approach  of  the  freight  train,  and  knowing  a  collision 
was  inevitable,  Prof.  Fitts  jumped  from  his  car,  and  when 
attempting  to  climb  the  embankment,  fell  back  just  as  the 
freight  train  struck  the  sleeper  with  such  force  as  to  drive  it 
through  three  passenger  cars  in  front.  He  was  caught  under 
the  wreck  and  killed  instantly. 

His  body  was  taken  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  embalmed,  and 
then  returned  to  Blacksburg  by  the  railroad  company,  where  the 
funeral  services  were  had,  and  the  remains,  accompanied  by  an 
escort  of  students  from  the  College,  were  carried  to  Petersburg 
for  burial. 

Dr.  IP.  B.  Fitts  arrived  in  Chicago  at  the  appointed  time 
and,  instead  of  meeting  his  brother,  received  a  dispatch 
announcing  his  death. 

From  an  obituary  notice  of  Prof.  Fitts,  published  in  the  city 
papers,  the  following  extract  is  taken: 

“  His  sad  and  sudden  death  is  a  heavy  blow  to  all  who  knew 
him.  The  wisdom  of  his  counsel  and  the  benefit  of  his  labors 
will  be  sadly  missed  in  the  College.  To  his  brother  professors 
is  the  pang  peculiarly  bitter,  since  they  had  learned  to  respect 
and  love  him.  His  place  in  their  affections,  as  well  as  in  the 
College  work,  will  be  hard  to  fill.  But  it  was  in  his  home  life 
that  the  softest  beauty  and  the  gentlest  tenderness  of  his  charac¬ 
ter  shone  forth. 

No  one  was  ever  happier  in  his  home  or  made  his  home 
brighter  than  did  Prof.  Fitts.  He  was  indeed  Nature’s  gentle¬ 
man;  the  generous  acts  of  his  daily  life  were  but  the  promptings 
of  his  noble  heart.” 


No.  402 

Theela  Epia5  Duncan  was  born  Oct.  29,  1855.  She  was 
married  to  Robert  Emory  Blackwell  on  Aug.  28,  1877. 

He  is  now  a  Professor  in  Randolph  Macon  College.  They 
have  onty  the  one  child,  Epia  Duncan  Blackwell,  born  Jan.  18, 
1879. 


Rev.  JAMES  FITTS  3  PLUMMER 
No.  423 


ERRATA 

J- 

On  page  10,  ninth  line  from  the  bottom,  for  “  viz,”  read 
“  vi i .” 

On  page  19,  tenth  line  from  bottom,  for  “a,”  read  “as.” 

On  page  27,  fifth  line,  for  “  desposing,”  read  “disposing.” 

On  page  29,  page  to  sketch  of  Henry  Fitts2,  is  64,  should 
be  64a. 

On  page  30,  seventh  line  from  bottom,  for  “Lesch,”  read 
“  Leach.” 

On  page  32,  third  line  from  bottom,  for  “  Faedrick,”  read 
“  Frederick.” 

On  this  page,  and  in  several  other  places,  the  exponent 
figure,  showing  the  generation,  is  omitted,  which  can  readily  be 
found  by  referring  to  the  name  where  it  first  appears  in  the  book. 

On  page  33,  second  line  from  the  bottom,  for  “Emilly,” 
read  “  Emily.” 

On  page  34,  the  page  to  sketch  of  No.  107,  should  be  113. 

On  page  35,  No.  128  should  be  “  Hariet  Annie  Fitts4.” 

On  page  35,  page  to  sketch  of  No.  125,  should  be  112. 

On  page  36,  seventh  line,  “  Hariet  Fitts4,”  should  be 
“  Hariet  Fitts0.” 

On  page  36,  page  to  sketch  of  No.  145,  should  be  114. 

On  page  36,  page  to  sketch  of  No.  147,  should  be  115. 

On  page  37,  seventh  line,  for  “  May  10,  1846,”  read  “  May 
10,  1847.” 

On  page  37,  eighth  line,  for  “  Earnest,”  read  “  Ernest.” 

On  page  37,  bottom  line,  for  “  Helen  McEachin,”  read 
“  Helen  Wallace  McEachin.” 

On  page  39,  twelfth  line,  for  “  Willie,”  read  “  William.” 

On  page  40,  seventh  line  from  bottom,  for  “  James  Hawkins,” 
read  “  James  E.  Hawkins.” 

On  page  41,  sixth  line  from  bottom,  for  “  Ann,”  read 
“  Anna.” 

On  page  44,  tenth  line,  for  “Centenial,”  read  “Centennial.” 

On  page  44,  fourteenth  line,  for  “Stevin,”  read  “  Steavin.” 

On  page  78,  first  line,  for  “Ann,”  read  “Ann  Eliza.” 

On  page  78,  third  line,  for  “  Scoggins,”  read  “Scoggin.” 

On  page  80,  twentieth  line,  for  “Ephriam,”  read  “Ephraim.” 

On  page  82,  .third  line,  for  “  was,”  read  “  were.” 

On  page  82,  fourth  line,  for  “  his,”  read  “  their.” 


22 


I  (32 


Errata 


On  page  91,  bottom  line,  for  “  Miridian,”  read  “  Meridian.” 
On  page  93,  second  line  from  bottom,  for  “  predelection,” 
read  “  predilection.” 

On  page  101,  twentieth  line  from  bottom,  for  “  1859,”  read 


“  1869.” 


On  page  109,  twenty-fourth  line,  for  “confrers,”  read  “con¬ 
freres.” 

On  page  111,  eighteenth  line,  for  “  Emely,”  read  “Emily.” 

On  page  114,  seventh  line,  for  “  Finly,”  read  “  Finlay.” 

On  page  115,  first  line,  for  “Batchelor’s,”  read  “Bachelors.” 

On  page  115,  twenty-first  line,  for  “  Ann  Sterling  Thrower 
Fitts4,”  read  “  Ann  Sterling"  Thrower  Fitts.” 

On  page  119,  tenth  line,  for  “Itenerant,”  read  “  Itinerant.” 

On  page  119,  twentieth  line,  for  “  demostrations,”  read 
“  demonstrations.” 

On  page  128,  first  line,  for  “  calm  and  even,”  read  “  calm 
as  even.” 

On  page  125,  second  line,  for  “  forture,”  read  “  fortune.” 

On  page  129,  eleventh  line  from  bottom,  for  “Culpeper,” 
read  “Culpepper.” 

On  page  137,  eighth  line,  for  “  presure,”  read  “  pressure.” 

On  page  137,  eighth  line,  after  “of”  add  “his.” 

On  page  137,  sixteenth  line  from  bottom,  for  “lambient,” 
read  “  lambent.” 

On  page  142,  eighteenth  line,  for  “  ought,”  read  “  aught.” 

On  page  151,  tenth  line  from  bottom,  for  “  Jarius,”  read 
“  Jairus.” 

On  page  153,  fifth  line,  for  “  one,”  read  “two.” 

On  page  157,  thirteenth  line  from  the  bottom,  for  “  months,” 
read  “  years.” 


INDEX 


Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Albea. 

Charles  Brame6 . 

. . . .  56 

E.  P . 

56 

Eleanor  Pauline6  .  . . 

....  56 

Eugene  Norman6 . . . 

. . . .  56 

Alexander. 

Mattie . 

. . . .  37 

52 

43i 

Allen. 

Hattie  M . 

. . . .  44 

59 

Lula . 

153 

Alston. 

James  Fitts6 .  53 

Marilou6 .  53 


1VJ.CII  11UU  “ . 

Rebecca  Emily . 

29 

30 

V  66 

l  68 

Samuel  Fitts . 

■  38 

53 

146 

Sarah  Elizabeth . 

■  3° 

36 

79 

Arrington. 

Benjamin  Ricks . . 

•  35 

48 

114 

Benjamin  Whitehead5. . 

•  48 

Edward  William5 . 

.  48 

Emma5 . 

•  48 

Henry  Fitts5 . . 

•  48 

Jesse  Key . . 

■  47 

6l 

154 

Lillie6 .  48  62 

Mary  Olivia .  48 

Ashe. 

Mrs .  29 

Askew. 


E.  A . 

32 

Aylette. 

Virginia  Wilmonia. . . . 

. .  29 

3i 

74 

Baker. 

Benjamin  F . 

•  •  39 

54 

Rebecca . 

•  •  33 

William  Samuel6 . 

•  •  54 

Barnes. 

Cruse  . 

Bealle. 

Fannie . 

Frederick . 

Beaman. 

Annie  M . 

Bird. 

Frances  Moylan 
Blackwell. 

Epia  Duncan®\  . 

Robert  Emory. . 
Blair. 

Mary  Mayo . 

Blanch. 

Ezekiel . 

Jennie4 . 

Bobbitt. 

Alice5 . 

Bettie  G. 6 . 

Brame5 . 

Edward  F . 


39 

32 

32 

35 

49 

125 

35 

49 

117 

63 

49 

63 

159 

49 

63 

158 

30 

36 

36 

42 

57 

42 

32 

57 

42 

Parents 

Brothers  Chil- 
Slsters  dren 


Bobbitt —  Continued. 

Edward  Fletcher5 .  42  57 

Edward  Fletcher6 .  57 

Edward  G. 6 .  55 

Ella  Alexander6 .  57 

Fletcher5 .  42  58 

Fletcher  Embra6 .  57  .  . 

Henry  Coleman6 .  57 

Joshua  Branch6 .  57 

Lovie  M. 6 .  58 

Nora6 .  57 

Richard  G .  41  55 

Whitmel  H.5 .  42  57 

Whitmel  Hilliard6 .  57 

Borrough. 

Pattie .  45  59 

Brack. 

Ervin6 .  58 

Joseph .  43  58 

Lena6 .  58 

Max6 .  58 

Pinkie^ .  58 

William^ .  58 

Zulah6 .  58 

Bracy. 

Eva  B .  42  58 

Brame. 

Anderson  F. 8 .  29  32 

Anderson  F.B .  41  55 

Anne  Elizabeth4 .  32  41 

Augustus  Foster5 .  44 

Aurelia6 .  41 

Bettie  A5 .  41  55 

Carrie  A. 6 .  55 

Cassandria6 .  42  56 

Cicily4 .  33 

Emily4 .  32  42 

Emma4 .  32 

Florence5 .  41  56 

Fronie6 .  58 

George  Centennial5 .  44 

Harris6 .  59 

Henry3 .  29  32 

Henry4 .  33 

Henry  Davis5 .  44  58 

Henry  Robert4 .  32 

Indiana  Frances4 .  32  42 

Isabella4 .  32  43 

James8 .  29 

James4 .  33  .  . 

Jefferson  Davis5 .  44 

John  D.5 .  42 

John  M.4 .  32 

John  M.4 .  32  41 

John  William6 .  58 

Leah4 .  33 

Leonidas4 .  33 

Marcus3 .  29  32 

Marcus  George4 .  32 

Martha4 .  32  42 

Martha  Ann4 .  32  43 


164 


Index 


Parents 
Brothers  Chil- 


Sisters  dren  Sketch 

Brame —  Continued. 

Marj'  Ann4 . 

.  ..  32 

Mary  Ella4 . 

. . .  32 

Mary  Isabella5 . 

. . .  44 

59 

Maurice  M. 5 . 

. .  .  42 

Nancy3 . 

. . .  29 

33 

Oliver3 . 

. . .  29 

33 

Ottis  Franklin3 . 

•  •  •  59 

Paralee4 . 

.  .  .  32 

Paralee  Amelia5 .... 

. .  .  44 

Patrick  Plenry4 . 

.  ..  32 

Peter  J.5 . 

.  . .  42 

Rebecca  Dorothy4 . . . 

..  .  32 

43 

Robert  M.5 . 

Rosa  Rebecca5 . 

. .  .  42 

...-j41 

(  47 

55 

61 

Rubie  Pearle6 . 

•  •  •  59 

Ruth6 . 

..  58 

Sallie4 . 

•  32 

44 

Sally3 . 

.  . .  29 

33 

Susan3 . 

.  .  .  29 

Thomas  Ouitman5 . . . 

. . .  44 

59 

Thomas  Ethel6 . 

•  •  ■  59 

Virginia4 . 

. . .  32 

Walter  Acker5 . 

. .  .  44 

59 

William . 

. . .  29 

29 

William3 . 

. .  .  29 

William4 . 

•  •  •  33 

William  Anderson4  . . 

. . .  32 

42 

William  A. 6 . 

. . .  42 

William  Henry4 . 

. . .  32 

William  Milan4 . 

.  . .  32 

44 

William  Milan5 . 

.  .  .  44 

Brown. 

Samuel  Thompson . . . 

. ..  31 

39 

Bugbee. 

Alice . 

. .  .  49 

62 

157 

Burges. 

Mary  Elizabeth . 

. .  .  30 

38 

86 

Burney. 

Elizabeth5 . 

. .  .  47 

62 

Ella  Lee5 . 

. . .  •  47 

John  R . 

•  ••  34 

47 

Cabiness. 

Mary  Ann . 

. .  .  29 

33 

Campbell. 

William  A . 

•  •  •  43 

58 

William  A.6 . 

...  58 

Nannette6 . 

. .  •  58 

Carpenter. 

Emily  Alston6 . 

•  •  5i 

James  Slaughter . 

•  •  37 

5i 

129 

James  Slaughter6 .... 

•  •  5i 

John  Darwin6 . 

..  .  51 

Lizzie  Leach6 . 

•  •  5i 

f>3 

Norma  Snow6 . 

•  ■  5i 

Samuel  Sidney6 . 

•  •  5i 

Carroll. 

Sidney  J . 

■  •  39 

54 

Carter. 

Ella  F . 

..  46 

Claiborne. 

Pattie . 

•  ■  35 

48 

117 

Claris. 

Amelia  M . 

. .  46 

Cochrane. 

Sophia  Holland . 

•  •  3i 

40 

107 

Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Coleman. 

Sarah  A . 

42 

57 

Collins. 

Harriet  Elizabeth  Ann.  . 

30 

35 

77 

Comegys. 

Cornelius  George5 . 

39 

Edward  Freeman . 

29 

31 

73 

Edward  Freeman4 . 

31 

39 

97 

Edward  Freeman5 . 

39 

Lena5 . 

39 

Lillie5 . 

39 

Louisa  Ripley5 . 

39 

Susie5 . 

39 

54 

William  Crawford4 . 

31 

Cooke. 

Ellen . 

43 

Corprew. 

Prof.  O.  H.  P . 

33 

III 

Cousson. 

George  W . 

40 

55 

Mary  Clift6 . 

55 

Crawford. 

Caroline  Medora4 . 

31 

39 

Susan4 . 

3i 

39 

William . 

29 

31 

73 

Dalton. 

Brame5 . 

44 

Thomas  Bradley . 

32 

44 

Damer. 

Flora . 

37 

52 

151 

Davis. 

Ann . 

30 

35 

Carrie  J . 

4i 

55 

Emma  H . 

42 

Dickinson. 

James  Clarence6 . 

54 

James  Crawford6 . 

54 

Leila6 . 

54 

Richard  Charles . 

39 

54 

Dickson. 

Eliza  Ann . 

29 

32 

Drake. 

Francis  Marvin5 . 

45 

Henry  Fitts4 . 

34 

113 

Henry  Fitts5 . 

45 

153 

Harriet  Thrower5 . 

45 

154 

John  Oliver4 . 

34 

113 

John  Oliver5 . 

45 

Mary  Ann4 . 

33 

34 

113 

Mary  Ann5 . 

45 

153 

Matthew  Mann . 

30 

34 

76 

Matthew  Mann5 . 

45 

Matthew  Mann 5 . 

45 

Sallie  Duke4 . 

34 

113 

Sallie  Duke5 . . 

45 

Susan  Fitts5 . 

45 

60 

153 

William  Caswell4 . 

34 

35 

45 

45  \ 
47  s 

hi 

William  Caswell5 . 

154 

Winnefred  Fitts5 . 

45 

Drew. 

Adeline  A.5 . 

44 

Benjamin . 

33 

44 

hi 

Benjamin  C.5 . 

44 

Emily  Rogers5 . 

44 

George  Rogers6 . 

44 

153 

Index 


165 


Parents 


Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Drew  —  Continued. 

Laura  L. 6 . 

...  44 

Mary  Fitts5 . 

. ..  44 

59 

153 

Duke. 

Sallie . 

...  29 

30 

Duncan. 

David  Twitty5 . 

. .  .  49 

Elizabeth  Watts5  . . . . 

...  63 

Eveline  Fitts5 . 

.  ..  49 

James  Armstrong. . . . 

...  35 

49 

117 

James  Armstrong5 . . . 

• ..  49 

63 

Lizzie . 

•  ■  •  49 

63 

Mary  Elizabeth5 . 

•  •  •  49 

Nannie5 . 

•  •  •  49 

Sallie  Duke6 . 

.  .  .  63 

Theela  Epia5 . 

•  •  •  49 

63 

159 

William  Wallace5 .  .. 

•  ••  49 

Eaton. 

Eugene  Fitz6 . 

.  .  .  52 

Eugene  G . 

...  37 

52 

131 

Josiah  Pegues6 . 

.  ..  52 

Mary6 . 

. ..  52 

Egerston. 

Mrs.  Columbia . 

. . .  42 

57 

Erwin. 

James  Wiiliam . 

...  38 

Finlay. 

Annie  H . 

•  ••  34 

114 

Fitts. 

3  Adeline . 

.  .  •  30 

5  Alice . 

38 

53 

149 

5  Alice  Olivia . 

...  48 

5  Alston . 

...  38 

150 

3  Ann  Eliza . 

. .  .  30 

36 

78 

6  Ann  Sterling . 

..  48 

6  Ann  Thrower . 

6  Annalee  Leslie  . . 

•  •  53 

5  Annie  Eliza . 

...  48 

5  Arthur . 

...  38 

148 

6  Arthur  Leonard . 

•  •  ■  53 

5  Aylette . 

. . .  40 

4  Betsy . 

•  •  •  35 

3  Caroline . 

. .  .  30 

34 

76 

5  Caroline  Mary . 

..  48 

4  Caroline  Medora  .... 

•  •  3° 

37 

82 

5  Caroline  Patterson. . . 

. ..  50 

5  Charles . 

•  ■  37 

52 

131 

5  Charles  Henry . 

. ..  50 

6  Charles  Middleton  . . . 

. ..  52 

5  Cornelia . 

.  .  .  36 

51 

128 

5  Cornelia . 

■  •  •  39 

5  Della  Kate . 

. . .  50 

5  Edward  Alston . 

.  . .  3b 

127 

5  Edward  Plummer. . . . 

. ..  50 

5  Elise .  .  . 

• ..  39 

3  Elizabeth . 

.  .  30 

34 

77 

4  Elizabeth  Faulcon  . . . 

.  . .  30 

37 

80 

3  Emily . 

. ..  30 

3b 

5  Ethel  Lee . 

...  48 

3  Eveline . 

. .  30 

35 

77 

6  Fairfax . 

. . .  40 

5  Fannie . 

...  38 

53 

146 

5  Festus . 

...  38 

53 

133 

4  Francis  Michael . 

.  .  \  35 

48  ) 
50  i 

11 5 

5  Francis  Michael . 

f  36 
...  48 

6  Francis  Michael . 

6  Francis  Moylan . 

. . .  63 

Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Fitts  —  Continued. 

0  Frank . 

• . .  53 

6  Frank  Michael . 

...  48 

6  George  Bugbee . 

.  .  62 

4  George  Collins . 

•  •  35 

48 

1 17 

5  George  Collins . 

..  48 

5  Harden  Holland . 

. .  40 

3  Harriet . 

. .  30 

36 

78 

4  Harriet  Annie . 

•  •  35 

48 

114 

5  Harriet  Collins . 

..  48 

6  Harriet  Earle . 

•  •  54 

6  Harriet  Thrower . 

5  Haywood . 

..  36 

6  Helen  Russell . 

1  Henry . 

•  •  24 

29 

24 

2  Henry . 

. .  29 

30 

64a 

3  Henry . . . 

4  Henry . 

114 

5  Henry . 

..  48 

6  Henry  Bird . 

•  •  49 

62 

157 

6  Henry  Bird . 

3  Henry  Green . 

..  30 

35 

5  Henry  John . 

. .  40 

5  Herbert . 

■  ■  36 

3  James . 

..  30 

35 

3  James  Harris . 

..  29 

30 

66 

4  fames  Harris  . 

..  30 

38 

86 

5  James  Harris . 

..  38 

6  James  Harris . 

..  53 

6  James  Harris . 

•  ■  53 

4  James  Henry . 

•  •  35 

49 

117 

5  James  Henry . 

..  49 

63 

158 

4  James  Monroe . 

•  •  35 

50 

5  James  Oliver . 

..  36 

126 

3  John  . 

..  29 

31 

74 

0  John  Blair . 

..  63 

4  John  Henry . 

. .  30 

84 

4  John  Henry . 

•  •  31 

5  John  Henry . 

•  •  3b 

127 

0  Lalla  Duke . 

. .  50 

5  Lalla  Plummer . 

•  ■  50 

5  Lizzie  Faulcon . 

.  •  37 

53 

I3i 

5  Louise . 

. .  40 

5  Maggie . 

•  ■  39 

4  Margaret  Louisa . 

•  •  31 

40 

X07 

6  Margaret  Woodhull . . 

.  .  62 

4  Martha  Aylette . 

•  •  31 

99 

0  Mary . 

..  38 

150 

4  Mary  Duke . 

•  •  35 

5  Mary  Emily . 

. .  36 

125 

6  Mary  Emily . 

.  •  53 

3  Mary  Parham . 

. .  30 

33 

75 

5  Mary  Twitty . 

..  48 

5  Mary  William . 

..  48 

6  Nadine . 

62 

2  Nancy . 

..  29 

29 

5  Olive .  . 

•  •  39 

2  Oliver . 

. .  29 

29 

64 

5  Oliver . 

..  48 

3  Oliver  Duke  . 

..  30 

35 

77 

4  Oliver  Duke . 

•  •  35 

5  Oliver  Duke . 

..  48 

62 

3  Oliver  Harris . 

. .  29 

31 

75 

4  Oliver  Henry . 

..  30 

4  Oliver  Henry . 

..  3i 

102 

4  Olivia  Duke . 

.  .  -j  34 

45) 

(  35 

47  J 

1 1 2 

5  Philip  Alston . 

•  •  39 

4  Philip  Augustus . 

40 

105 

5  Philip  Augustus . 

•  ■  40 

1(56 


Index 


Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Fitts —  Continued. 

4  Rebecca  Emily . 

30 

82 

6  Robert  N . 

48 

4  Rosa . 

35 

4  Sallie . 

31 

4  Sallie  D . 

35 

50 

4  Sallie  Duke . 

35 

s  Sally . 

29 

4  Samuel  Alston . 

30 

36 

78 

5  Samuel  Thomas . 

36 

4  Sarah  Ann . 

3i 

4  Sarah  Harris . 

30 

80 

6  Sarah  Olivia . 

36 

6  Sarah  Palmer . 

48 

6  Sarah  Twitty . 

60 

6  Sophia . 

40 

6  Sophia  Holland . 

54 

3  Susan  . 

30 

34 

76 

3  Susan  Brown . 

29 

31 

73 

4  Susan  Virginia . 

30 

38 

96 

4  Tempe . 

3i 

40 

108 

4  Tempe . 

35 

.... 

3  Tempe  Louise . 

48 

4  Temperance . 

3i 

41 

3  Temperance  Winnefred 

29 

31 

73 

B  Virginia  Aylette . 

40 

6  Walter  Emmet . 

36 

6  Waverly . 

36 

128 

4  William  Aylette . 

3i 

39 

103 

6  William  Aylette . 

39 

6  William  Cochrane . 

40 

54 

152 

4  William  Faulcon . 

30 

37 

84 

6  William  Faulcon . 

37 

132 

6  William  Faulcon . 

38 

53 

132 

5  William  Hunter . 

50 

6  William  Jones . 

49 

60 ) 
62  f 

6  William  Thrower . 

J  46 

1  48 

156 

6  William  Thrower . 

60 

3  Winefred . 

30 

34 

76 

Flinn. 

Annie  Fitts0 . 

53 

B.  F . 

37 

53 

131 

Charles  Foster0 . 

53 

Frank6 . 

53 

Lulu  Glaze6 . 

53 

William  Faulcon6 . 

53 

Foote. 

Martha . 

34 

45 

III 

Nancy . 

29 

32 

Foster. 

Jersey  Annie . 

30 

37 

84 

Paralee  Amelia6 . 

43 

58 

Sidney  J. 5 . 

43 

Skiles  Augustus . 

32 

43 

Skiles  Henry6 . 

43 

Fussell. 

J  ames . 

29 

Gaines. 

Frank  Wharton . 

36 

51 

128 

Frank  Wharton6 . 

5i 

Gaskins. 

Nellie . 

49 

.... 

Gough. 

F.  C . 

32 

Mary . 

29 

.  .  . 

Guilo. 

Dr.  La  Fayette . 

3i 

99 

Parents 


Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Gunnison. 

Louisa  .  . 

•  •  31 

38 

Hagan. 

Edward  Sheppard. . . . 

. ..  49 

Haile. 

Willie . 

...  38 

Harris. 

Amanda  Banks6 . 

. . .  40 

Anderson  F. 6 . 

Anna4 . 

•  •  •  33 

Boy  a  W. 5 . 

. . .  44 

Ceily  E.6 . 

. ..  44 

Cornelia5 . 

. ..  40 

George  M.4 . 

. ..  33 

Henry  B. 6 . 

. . .  44 

Henry  Brame4 . 

•  ••  33 

49 

James  A.4 . 

•  •  •  33 

John . 

■  •  •  33 

John  James . 

. ..  31 

40 

107 

John  James6 . 

...  40 

156 

Joshua . 

. ..  29 

33 

Leonidas  Y. 6 . 

. . .  44 

Lucy  Perine6 . 

. ..  40 

Marcus  S. 5 . 

. ..  44 

Margaret  Gardner6 . . 

. ..  40 

Mary4 . 

•  33 

Nancy  C.4 . 

.  •  •  33 

Nathaniel  J.4 . 

■  •  •  33 

Rebecca  L. 6 . 

. .  44 

Richard  Norfleet6. , . . 

. ..  40 

Ridley  F.4 . 

Sarah  . 

.. .  29 

29 

Sarah4  . 

•  ••  33 

Sherwood . 

. ..  29 

33 

Susan  . 

. ..  31 

39 

98 

Virginia  Aylette6 .... 

. .  40 

55 

William4 . 

•  ■  33 

William4 . 

•  •  •  33 

William  Fitts6 . 

Hawkins. 

James  E . 

. . .  31 

40 

108 

James  Fitts6 . 

Julian  Edward5 . 

. ..  40 

Maggie  Wei  ton 5 

.  40 

Richard  Nathaniel6 . . 

. .  40 

Roberta6 . 

. . .  40 

Sarah5 . 

Hewett. 

Eleanor . 

. . .  40 

54 

153 

Hickox. 

Milton  Haynes . 

..  38 

Hill. 

James  Fitts6 . 

...  53 

Walton  Harris6 . 

•  •  ■  53 

Walton  W . 

...  38 

53 

149 

Hollman. 

Ida  May . 

. ..  44 

153 

House. 

Arthur  Caswell6 . 

Earnest  Nadal0 . 

Fannie  Roberts6 . 

Henry6 . 

John  Drake6 . 

Joseph  A . 

. . .  45 

60 

T53 

Joseph  Anderson6  . . . 

Robert  Burton6 . 

Sallie  Twitty6 . 

.  .  .  . 

Index 


167 


Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 

dren 

Sketch 

Hudson. 

Edith . 

38 

Hunter. 

Bettie  Tunstall . 

35 

50 

Knox . 

41 

55 

Lillian  K.6 . 

55 

Lizzie  J. 6 . 

55 

Manly  R.6 . 

55 

William  K.6 . 

55 

Hyde. 

Eric  Hascal6 . 

59 

Walter  M . 

44 

59 

James. 

Edith  Whitaker7 . 

63 

Emilie  Carpenter7 . 

63 

George  Roosa . 

51 

63 

Johnson. 

Amelia  Elizabeth5 . 

41 

Emily5 . 

41 

George  Washington6 . . . . 

41 

Hannah  Jane5 . 

41 

Joseph . 

31 

41 

Robert5 . 

41 

Sallie5 . 

41 

Tempe  Susan6 . 

41 

Johnston 

Berge6  . 

62 

Connie  Winnie15 . 

62 

Edward . 

47 

62 

Ella  Lee6 . 

62 

John  Russell6 . 

62 

Joseph6  . 

62 

Tones. 

Columbia . 

42 

57 

Lucy  B.  P . 

41 

55 

Minerva  Temperance  . . . 

30 

35 

Joyner. 

E.  O . 

32 

41 

Kelly. 

Augustus  Foster6 . 

43 

George  Peter . 

32 

43 

George  Peter5 . 

43 

John  Henry5  . . 

43 

Lizzie  L. 5 . 

43 

Sallie6 . 

43 

William6 . 

43 

Kirkham. 

Edward  Ernest. .  . 

37 

51 

Edward  Ernest6 . 

51 

Elizabeth  Faulcon  Fitts6 

5i 

Leach. 

Bessie  Warren6 . 

52 

Carolyn  Medora6 . 

37 

51 

Ernest  Kirkham6 . 

52 

Edward  Faulcon5 . 

37 

Edward  Faulcon6 . 

52 

Emily  Alston6 . 

37 

51 

I29 

Emily  Carpenter6 . 

52 

James  Harris5 . 

37 

John  Warren6 . 

52 

Lelia5 . 

37 

Norma  Lela6 . 

37 

51 

Samuel  Thomas6 . 

37 

130 

Sewall  Jones . 

30 

37 

80 

Sewall  Jones6 . 

37 

52 

Sewall  Sidney6 . 

52 

Sidney  Fitts6 . 

37 

51 

128 

Parents 

Brothers  Ohil- 
Sisters  dren  Sketch 

Leach —  Continued. 


Sidney  Peck6 . 

•  5i 

Susan  Virginia5 . 

•  37 

William  Fitts6 . 

■  37 

Willie  Warren6 . 

•  52 

Loftin. 

John  H..  Jr . 

.  48 

Long.  ,  . 

Alice6 . 

j  42 

50 

i  43 

58 

Benjamin  F . 

•  32 

43 

Benjamin  F.6 . 

43 

Levi  A. 6 . 

•  43 

Nannie6 . 

58 

Russell5 . 

•  43 

Lynch. 

May  Christine . 

■  48 

Martin. 

Emily  Lee5 . 

•  38 

54 

Fredreka  Alston6 . 

•  54 

Gideon  Frederick . 

•  38 

54 

Harriette5 . 

•  38 

Harry  Peques6 . 

•  38 

Lallie  Bell  Burnley6. . . . 

.  54 

Lucia5 . 

•  38 

Lucien  Van  Buren . 

•  30 

38 

Narcissa  Pillow6 . 

•  54 

Sallie  Bell6 . 

•  33 

54 

Susan  Fitts5 . 

•  33 

Susie  Fitts6 . 

•  54 

Mayfield. 

James  Jefferson . 

•  54 

McEachin. 

Helen  Wallace ...  . 

•  37 

Milan. 

Alice . 

32 

Corday  Savage5  . 

.  46 

Elizabeth4 . 

•  34 

Emily  Brame6 . 

•  57 

Hariet  Oliver4 . 

.  34 

47 

Henry  Duke4 . 

•  34 

46 

Henry  Duke6 . 

.  57 

Henry  Duke6 . 

James  Henry5 . 

•  46 

Jessie4 . 

.  34 

John4 . 

.  34 

John6  . 

•  57 

John  F.  J . 

.  42 

57 

John  Felix  Jefferson5  .  . 

.  46 

6l 

John  Felix  Jefferson6  .  . 

.  6l 

Maggie  Perry6 . 

.  46 

Martha . 

•  29 

32 

Mary  Winnefred5 . 

.  46 

Nannie  Twitty6 . 

.  46 

Nathan . 

•  30 

34 

Nathan5 . 

.  46 

Nathan  Young6 . 

.  46 

Ruby6 . 

.  46 

Sallie  Elizabeth5 . 

.  46 

Sarah  Emily4 . 

•  34 

47 

Sophia  Perry5 . 

.  46 

Winnefred4 . 

■  34 

47 

Minor. 

Fannie . 

.  50 

Moore. 

Nancy . 

•  29 

3i 

Morgan. 

Vicy  Ann . 

•  32 

44 

1 68 


Index 


Newell. 

Beniamin  L.6 .  56 

Carleton  S. 6 .  56 

Ethel6 .  56 

Frank  B. 6 .  42 

Frank  B.6 . . . .  57 

John  Clay6 .  56 

John  D .  32 

John  D.B .  42 

John  David6 .  57 

Mary  Pete5  . |  ^ 

Will  R. 6 .  56 

William  A. 5 . \ 

I  43 

Nicholson. 

John  Benjamin6 .  59 

Thomas  F .  44 

Palmer. 


Parents 

Brothers  Chil- 
Sisters  dren  Sketch 


Horace5 . 


57 


42 


57  / 

6:  j- 

■56) 

58  f 


59 


61 


47 

34 

47 

60 

61 


61 


61 

62 


49 


46 


153 


Annie  Fitts5 .  46 

Caroline  Horace6 .  60 

Fitts  Henry5 .  47 

Hattie  Duke6 .  60 

Helen  R .  47 

Henry  Milan5 .  47 

Henry  Milan6 .  61 

Horace .  34 

Horace  .  30 

Horace .  34 

(46 
"147 

Horace6 .  55 

Horace  William5 .  46 

Jacob  Michaeux5 .  47 

James  Lee6 .  46 

James  Russell6 .  47 

Jefferson  Davis5 .  47 

John  Brame6 .  55 

John  T witty 5 .  46 

Lalla  Fitts6 .  60 

Lucy  Russell 6 .  60 

Malvern  Hill5 .  47 

Malvern  Hill6 .  61 

Mary  Anna .  48 

Nannie  Russell5 .  49 

Nathan  Milan5 . j  ^  ^  j- 

Nathan  Milan0 .  55 

Norville  Finlay6 .......  61 

Oliver  Fitts5 .  47 

Oliver  Fitts6 .  60 

Paul .  35 

Paul5 .  49 

Robert  Rodwell6 .  55 

Robert  Twitty6 .  60 

Sallie  Elizabeth6 .......  61 

Sallie  Fitts6 .  55 

Sallie  Milan5 . .  47 

Samuel  Arrington6 .  61 

Sarah  Fittshenry4 .  34 

Sophi  a  George 6 .  61 

Sue  Horace6 .  60 

Susan  Russell5 .  47 

Thomas  Twitty5 .  49 

William  Hendrick4 . -j  ^  ^  j- 

j  46  60  ) 

’  "  I  47  61  ) 


76 


54 


4 

155 
1 14 


William  Howard5 


Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 


Panlett. 

Epia5 .  50 

Hattie  Williamson5 .  50 

Henry  Clark .  35 

Mary  Twitty5 .  50 

Richard  Landon5 .  50 


Pardue. 
W.  M. 


Parker. 

India  Lillian .  44 

Lessie  A .  44 

Peck. 

Mary  Lee .  37 

Pegram. 

John  R .  44 

Pegues. 

Annie  Rowan6 .  52 

Carolyn  Medora6 .  52 

Harry  Harrington6 .  52 

Hooper  Alexander6 .  52 

Ida5 .  37 

Ida  Eaton6 .  52 

Joe  Evans5 . 37 

Josiah  James .  30 

Josiah  James6 .  52 

Rosa  Rowan6 .  52 

Samuel  Fitts6 .  37 

Perry. 

Ann  Elizabeth6 .  56 

Fannie  McKerrall 6 .  56 

John  Brame6 .  56 

Mark  P .  41 

Mark  Petway6 .  56 

Rosa  Govan6 .  56 

Sallie6 .  56 

Peyton. 

Randolph .  39 

Plummer. 

Charles5 .  50 

Edward  Hall .  35 

Ethel6 .  50 

James  Fitts5 .  50 

Lucy  M. 6 .  50 

William  Turner5 .  50 

Powell. 

Edward  Henry6 .  62 

Rev.  J.  W .  48 

Willie  B. 6 .  62 

PURIFOY. 

Lillie .  40 

Reeks. 

Alice  R. 5 .  41 

Ella  M. 5 .  41 

Josephine  Speed6 .  55 

Lizzie5 . 41 

Lucy  M. 6 .  41 

Pauline6 .  41 

Samuel  Soule5 .  41 

Samuel  Soule6 .  55 

Rev.  T.  B .  32 

Thomas  A. 5 .  41 

Tullia  B. 6 .  41 


Chil- 

dren  Sketch 


50  .... 

58  .... 

59 

51  129 


52  131 

52  130 

37  82 

52  130 

'56 


50 

62  .... 

157 

55  .... 

55  .... 

41  . . . . 


Index 


169 


Parents 

Brothers 

Chil- 

Sisters 

dren 

Sketch 

Ripley. 

Daniel5 . 

...  38 

Daniel  B . 

. ..  29 

31 

73 

Fannie6 . 

...  38 

Fitz  Edward5 . 

...  38 

Fitz  Henry4 . 

...  31 

38 

Fitz  Henry5 . 

...  38 

Hannah5 . 

...  38 

Henry5 . 

...  38 

Sarah4  . 

. ..  31 

Rodwell. 

Anna  Elizabeth . 

. . .  32 

4i 

Roe. 

Emma . 

. .  42 

56 

Rogers. 

Adeline  Fitts4 . 

. . .  33 

III 

Emily  Ann4 . 

•  • .  33 

44 

III 

George . 

. . .  30 

33 

75 

George  Oliver4 . 

j  33 
" '  7  34 

in  ) 

113  J 

Thomas  Henry4 . 

. . .  33 

no 

Rolston. 

Hugh . 

...  38 

Rowan. 

Rosa . 

. ..  37 

52 

130 

Saddler. 

Charles . 

. . .  33 

Savage. 

Martha  Ann . 

34 

46 

Sawyer. 

Caroline  Medora6 . . . . 

. . .  39 

54 

Francis  Lee5 . 

•  ■ .  39 

Imogen  Baron6 . 

. . .  39 

54 

Julian  E . 

. . .  31 

39 

Julian  E. 5 . 

...  39 

William  Crawford5. . . 

•  39 

SCOGGIN. 

Alice  Fitts4 . 

i  34 
' ' '  \  36 

46) 
5°  f 

114 

Charles  Blackwell, . . . 

...  42 

57  ’ 

Charles  Blackwell6. . . 

Fannie6 . 

...  57 

George  Rogers . 

. ..  36 

125 

James  Henry4 . 

. . .  36 

James  Lewis . 

. . .  30 

36 

78 

Smith. 

Susan  C . 

. . .  42 

57 

Snow. 

Charles  B. 6 . 

. . .  51 

John . . 

...  37 

5i 

John  Adams6 . 

...  51 

Lizzie  Fitts6 . 

...  51 

Virginia  Penn6  . 

...  51 

Sfiller. 

Annie . 

...  38 

53 

132 

Stallings. 

Alice  M.6 . 

. . .  42 

Eugene5 . 

56 

Lizzie5 . 

. ..  42 

56 

Mattie5 . 

Peter  M.5 . 

Theophilus . 

...  32 

42 

Steavin. 

Dolly . 

Studivant. 

Susannah . 

Taylor. 

Annalee . 

Temple. 

Emma  J . 

Thomas. 

Norwood . 

Elizabeth  Christine6 

Thrower. 


Mary  Fitts  William4. 


Twitty. 

Ann5 


Caroline  Sterling5 , 


Harriet  Thrower6. 


John4 


Parents 

Brothers 

Chil- 

Sisters 

dren 

Sketch 

•  33 

44 

.  24 

29 

.  38 

53 

135 

•  36 

•  42 

56 

.  56 

j  35 

48 ) 

115 

•  1 36 

50  J 

.  36 

.  36 

125 

.  30 

36 

78 

•  36 

.  46 

.  49 

.  35 

49 

•  34 

.  46 

( 46 

60  i 

'  1 47 

61 1 

50 

•  49 

U6 
' }  48 

60 ) 
62 ) 

156 

.  34 

45 

III 

.  45 

•  49 

.  35 

49 

124 

.  46 

.  35 

.  3° 

34 

76 

.  34 

113 

.  45 

•  45 

59 

.  49 

.  56 

•  34 

34 

j  46 

60 ) 

■  i  47 

61 1 

.  45 

.  35 

.  49 

.  34 

46 

114 

.  46 

.  49 

.  35 

49 

117 

.  34 

45 

III 

•  59 

.  45 

.  35 

.  30 

35 

77 

.  34 

.  35 

.  45 

.  46 

.  49 

.  46 

154 

170 


Index 


Van  Hoose. 

Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 
dren  Sketch 

Watson. 

Parents 

Brothers 

Sisters 

Chil¬ 
dren  Sketch 

George  Wolsey . 

George  Wolsey6 . . . . 
Lucia6 . 

....  38 
....  54 
....  54 

54  151 

Mary  Z . 

W  ATT. 

.  42 

Vann. 

Eliza  J . 

.  31 

39  104 

Macon  E . 

Walker. 

William . 

....  42 

• • • •  33 

Winslett. 

Anna  Watts . 

.  40 

Warren. 

WORTTAM. 

Kate  Brantley . 

. .  •  •  37 

52  .... 

Ned . 

.  33 

V 


» 


